‘Depression is no joke’: Hawaiian surfing legend Sunny Garcia was ‘battling demons’ before being found unconscious at his home as his chilling final Instagram post paying tribute to his childhood self is revealed
- Vincent Garcia in critical condition after found unconscious at Oregon home
- The 49-year-old admitted to a US hospital and placed in Intensive Care Unit
- Day before incident Garcia made life-affirming post to his Instagram account
- Garcia posted photo as young boy, reflecting on how far he had come in career
- For anyone in need of advice or assistance contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
Surfing legend Vincent ‘Sunny’ Garcia spoke of his depression and battling demons on social media before he was found unconscious at his home.
The World Surf League confirmed on Tuesday that Garcia had been discovered at his Oregon property in the US before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Only the day before the incident, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to reflect on how far he had come in life.
Garcia posted a photo, showing a young, sun-kissed Garcia smiling widely at the camera while enjoying a snow cone.
‘If I told this kid the things he would go through and things he would achieve he would tell me I’m crazy lol,’ the post read.
‘Wow it’s been a crazy ride since this photo was taken.’
The World Surf League confirmed on Tuesday that Garcia had been discovered at his Oregon home in the US before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition
Only the day before the incident, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to reflect on how far he had come in life (pictured, an old photo of Garcia as a young boy was posted to the surfing phenom’s social media site, as Garcia reflected on his life)
Garcia is a record, six-time Hawaiian Triple Crown Champion, 2000 ASP World Champion and an inductee in the Surfing Walk of Fame
Garcia is a record, six-time Hawaiian Triple Crown Champion, 2000 ASP World Champion and an inductee in the Surfing Walk of Fame.
But behind closed doors, the celebrated surfer is known to have wrestled with depression.
In a 2014 Instagram post he revealed he had been struggling with the condition.
‘Depression is no joke,’ he posted at the time.
‘Waking up feeling like you’re ready to take on the world, then a couple of hours later, feeling down on life and wondering what’s wrong with you.
‘Well, I know I’m not alone and I’m not sure what’s wrong with me because I have no reason to feel the way I do and it’s been happening for about two years.’
As recent as early April 2019, Garcia admitted he had been having some ‘bad days’.
As recent as early April 2019, Garcia admitted he had been having some ‘bad days’
‘Doesn’t get easier you just get stronger so as long as you keep fighting to be better life can be beautiful,’ he said in a post.
‘And sure we might have those moments when you just want to give up but you have made it so far so keep fighting.
‘I’ve been having some bad days but I’m back to training and seriously been feeling a lot better.’
In a March 21 post, Garcia addressed mental illness and its attendant struggles.
‘Doesn’t matter what kind of mental illness you suffer from, we all suffer in silence and deal with it best we can and most people that don’t suffer can’t understand the pain and frustration that we go through.
‘I have a incredible life surrounded by people that love and care for me, and I get to travel to beautiful places to surf and meet different people from all over the world.’
For anyone in need of advice or assistance contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The surfing legend made his debut at the young age of 17 in the 1986 Gotcha Pro at Sandy Beach
Sunny Garcia at the REEF Hawaiian Pro competition in 2013
Behind all the fame and glamour, Garcia is known to have wrestled with depression (pictured, Garcia celebrates his win at 2000 surfing competition)