Sunny Garcia – The Hawaiian Powerhouse
“Heart of a Warrior, Spirit of Hawaii”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Vincent Sennen Garcia
Nickname: Sunny
Born: January 14, 1970 – Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii
Nationality: American (Hawaiian)
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Surf Spots: Backdoor, Sunset Beach, Haleiwa, Off the Wall
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
2000 ASP World Champion – the first and only full-blooded Hawaiian male to claim the title
6× Triple Crown of Surfing Champion – still holds the record
40+ career victories, making him one of the most dominant surfers in CT history
Notable Competitions:
Pipeline Masters, Rip Curl Cup, Haleiwa Challenger, Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau
Feared competitor with unmatched presence in Hawaiian lineups
Best Performances:
2000 World Title season – beat the best of the best with consistent power surfing
Multiple Triple Crown runs where he sealed the title in heavy Hawaiian surf
2001 Pipe Masters – power, control, and home crowd energy
Signature Moves:
Explosive power surfing, deep bottom turns into heavy hacks
A master of backdoor barrels and reef break warfare
His style was raw, aggressive, and emotionally driven—fans loved his fire
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Rode boards by Rusty and JC Hawaii, often custom shapes for the heavy North Shore
Preferred full-railed, volume-heavy boards for power-based surfing
Wetsuit & Gear:
Sponsored by Rip Curl, No Fear, Nixon, and Von Zipper during his peak
Also had signature traction pads, boardshorts, and surfboards
Training & Fitness:
Focused on strength, cardio, and mental grit
Spent most of his time in the water or in heavy training for the North Shore season
Wave Preferences:
Any big, heavy Hawaiian reef was his zone—Pipeline, Sunset, Haleiwa
Loved solid waves where raw power made the difference
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Motorcycles, motocross, training, family, and raising his kids
Had a strong passion for mentoring up-and-coming Hawaiian surfers
Social Causes:
Open about his mental health struggles, Sunny became an advocate for mental wellness later in life
Supported native Hawaiian rights and surf programs for at-risk youth
Fun Facts:
Had a cameo in the surf doc Blue Horizon
Known for his legendary intensity—never afraid to speak his mind or throw down when needed
Despite his tough exterior, those close to him knew his deep love for family and Hawaiian pride
🎥 Photos & Videos
Check out Sunny Dayz, his early 2000s video, and legendary Pipe footage on YouTube
He was featured in countless surf films as the embodiment of North Shore toughness
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2019, Sunny suffered a tragic suicide attempt, which led to ongoing medical challenges—he has since been in recovery with support from the global surf community
In 2025, tributes continue worldwide through the Sunny Strong Foundation, raising awareness for mental health in action sports
This year’s Triple Crown of Surfing included a special heat in his honor, with proceeds supporting recovery and wellness programs in Hawaii
