Sunny Garcia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sunny Garcia
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Vincent Sennen Garcia
January 14, 1970 Mā'ili, Oahu, Hawai'i
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Vincent Sennen "Sunny" Garcia (born January 14, 1970) is an American professional surfer. He is from Waianae, Hawaii. Sunny started surfing professionally in 1986. His first big competition was the Gotcha Pro at Sandy Beach, Oahu. He even beat the 1984 champion, Tom Carroll, in that event.
Sunny Garcia's biggest achievement in surfing was becoming the ASP WCT World Champion in 2000. He also holds a record for winning the most WQS events, with 22 victories. On top of that, he has won six Triple Crown of Surfing titles. He was also one of the first professional surfers to earn over $1 million in prize money.
Contents
Surfing Career Highlights
Sunny Garcia was a strong surfer from the start. At just 17, he joined the WCT in 1986. He showed great potential, even beating former champions. In his second year, he finished 16th in the world.
Staying at the Top
Throughout the 1990s, Sunny was very consistent. He finished in the top ten every year. He even placed third four times during this period. By 1995, some thought his best days might be behind him. He narrowly missed winning the Pipeline Masters title that year. He finished third behind famous surfers Kelly Slater and Rob Machado.
A Champion's Comeback
A few years later, Sunny found new inspiration. He was motivated by veteran surfer Mark Occhilupo's surprise win in 1999. Sunny worked hard to get back in shape. He moved to Kauai and surfed with the talented Irons brothers, Andy and Bruce. This helped him improve his surfing skills even more.
In 2000, 14 years after his first competition, Sunny Garcia achieved his dream. He completely dominated the ASP WCT season. He won the first two events in Australia. He then secured the world title in Brazil, even before the last event. That year, he also won his fifth Triple Crown in his home state of Hawaii.
Later Competitions
Sunny Garcia decided to retire from professional surfing in 2005. However, he soon returned to compete in the WQS again. He continued to compete in major events. In 2009, he had knee surgery but came back strong. He reached the quarter-finals in the Hawaiian Pro. He also finished second to Joel Parkinson in the O'Neill World Cup. He even had a great performance at "The Eddie," a big wave contest, finishing third.
Beyond Surfing
Sunny Garcia has done more than just surf. In 2002, he was part of a reality TV show. It was called North Shore: Boarding House. The show featured surfers living together. However, Sunny often prefers to stay away from the busy North Shore scene. He enjoys surfing alone or riding motocross.
Video Games and Clothing
Sunny Garcia is also featured in a video game. It's called Sunny Garcia Surfing. He also has a clothing deal with Affliction Clothing. Some of his own tattoos have even been used as designs on his custom shirts.
Helping Others
Sunny Garcia has volunteered for good causes. He has worked with Surfers Healing, a charity for autism. This has included helping with beach clean-up days. These events took place in Hawaii and along California's coast. In 2011, he hosted a golf tournament. It was called Surfers for Cystic Fibrosis. This event raised money for the Mauli Ola Foundation. The money helps fund surf experience days for kids with cystic fibrosis.
Personal Life
Vincent Sennen Garcia was born on January 14, 1970. His birthplace was Mā'ili, on the Westside of Oahu, Hawaii. Sunny has a diverse family background. His father's side has Puerto Rican and Hawaiian heritage. His mother's side includes Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Irish, and Native American roots. His mother gave him the nickname "Sunny." She called him that because he was a cheerful baby. After his parents divorced, Sunny lived with his mother near Mā'ili point, close to the beach.
Sunny Garcia has been married three times. His most recent marriage was to Colleen McCullough in 2008. He has three teenage children from his first marriage.
Since 2014, Sunny Garcia has openly shared his experiences with depression and mental health. He encourages others who struggle with mental illness to talk about their feelings.
Achievements
Titles and Records
- 2000 ASP WCT World Champion
- 2004 Triple Crown of Surfing
- 2000 Triple Crown of Surfing
- 1999 Triple Crown of Surfing
- 1994 Triple Crown of Surfing
- 1993 Triple Crown of Surfing
- 1992 Triple Crown of Surfing
- 1987–1988 ASP's Men's Most Improved award
- 1990 ASP's Men's Most Improved award
- Most victories in WQS competition (22 wins)
- Most Triple Crown of Surfing titles (6 wins)
Major Wins
2004
- Vans Hawaiian Pro (Alii Beach - Hale'iwa, Hawaii)
2002
- G-Shock Hawaiian Pro (Alii Beach - Haleiwa, Hawaii)
2000
- Billabong Pro (Kirra Point - Gold Coast, Australia)
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, (Australia)
- Panasonic Shockwave US Open (Huntington Beach, California)
- G-Shock Hawaiian Pro (Alii Beach - Haleiwa, Hawaii)
- Rip Curl World Cup (Sunset Beach - Oahu, Hawaii)
1997
- Katin Team Challenge (Huntington Beach, California)
1996
- Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
- Town and Country (Ala Moana - Oahu, Hawaii)
1995
- Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
- Quiksilver Surfmasters (Grande Plage - Biarritz, France)
- Rusty Pro (Honolua Bay - Maui, Hawaii)
- Op Pro (Huntington Beach, California)
- T&C/Bud Surf Tour Championships (Mākaha - Oahu, Hawaii)
1994
- Reunion Pro (Saint-Leu, Réunion)
- Billabong Kirra Pro (Kirra Point - Gold Coast, Australia)
- T&C/Bud Surf Tour Championships (Mākaha - Oahu, Hawaii)
- Hapuna World Cup of Surfing (Sunset Beach - Oahu, Hawaii)
1993
- HIC Pro (Banzai Pipeline - Oahu, Hawaii)
- Op Pro (Huntington Beach, California)
- Wyland Galleries Hawaiian Pro (Alii Beach - Haleiwa, Hawaii)
1992
- Gunston 500 (Durban, Natal, South Africa)
- T&C O'Neill Pro (Kuhio Beach - Maui, Hawaii)
- Pukas Pro (Zarauz, Basque Country, Spain)
- Marui/Surfin' Life Qualifying (Hebara Beach - Chiba, Japan)
- Miyazaki Qualifying (Miyazaki, Japan)
- Xcel Pro (Sunset Beach - Oahu, Hawaii)
- Wyland Galleries Hawaiian Pro (Alii Beach - Haleiwa, Hawaii)
1990
- Pukas Pro (Zarauz, Basque Country, Spain)
- Seland Pro (Sopelana, Basque Country, Spain)
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Sunny Garcia was honored. He was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach.
