Sunny Garcia Discusses Hawaii, Prison, and His Greatest Fears - The Inertia

[@jeffreymerson8425]

I remember when SG was still surfing amature meets, and then I got to surf a heat against him at full-point Sandy beach (around '85?). It was a pro/am meet that day... I got blasted out of that prelim heat and SG won every heat on! It was SUCH a rush watching that guy surf when he was that young and radical! It was an honor to lose to him as well. SG has grown to be a fine man, a man of honor, a man of God. I wish I could have been a friend of his, but I've always been a fan of his! I left the islands in '87 after 16yrs of growing up there, surfing east side (a LOT), Kaisers and Ala Moana bowls (a LOT), personally knowing and surfing with some of the older guys like Buttons, Liddel, Tony Moniz, Kenny Bradshaw, Brian Keaulana out west, The Hui on the north shore, and catching EPIC west swell pipeline watching guys like Hans Heiderman, the Ho's, Marvin Foster (before he went to prison), AND Sunny Garcia !!! Hawaii No Ka Oi! May god bless Hawaii and all the Kama Aina! I miss surfing SO much... but I'm a father now, living in the Midwest, building cars for a living, and being truly grateful for my youth growing up and surfing in Hawaii! Aloha!

[@whiteangelad]

totally agree!! i'm a guest on this island and honored to experience this culture. it's all about respect!!!! and i live here but i have the upmost respect and gratitude for this journey.

[@mtnman1]

He was my idol growing up. I'm 32 now and just getting back into surfing after about 10 years, he's still my surfing icon. It would be a dream come true to shake Sunny's hand. Cheers

[@surfn07]

Hope he pulls through ♥️

[@jeffdarnell7942]

What's wrong with him??

[@johnprice8503]

Didn't think I'd ever be posting a pro pro surfer / Sunny add, but: 1. Both of my sons said that out of all the pros that come to surf Lowers before the contest, Sunny treated them the best 2. Bumped into him in a socal gym in 2014...I was VERY impressed with what a kind, peaceful, friendly person he is. He is in great shape, and he was so cordial and a gentle man. Sunny if you for some reason read this, thank you for overcoming.

[@davestuddaman8127]

He’s also the same guy that let his wife walk around in a thong then slapped a guy when he checked her out. So ya know, just sayin

[@johnnyblaze373]

Same guy that almost strangled a kid unconscious, burying his head underwater in queensland australia.

[@weswalsh1843]

sunny garcia surfing was how i got into surfing thanks Sunny !!!! legend !!!

[@salvaperezmoya2762]

Praying for you Sunny.I hope your recovery.Love legend!!!

[@angusdog22]

Sunny used to be one of my favorite surfers . I liked his power and aggression on the waves he was the man !!!

[@inventorcreator7267]

I learned to appreciate this guy more every year we've both grown up. Much respect for SG. Looking forward to meeting him soon. Still good people in this world!

[@hoopslaa5235]

Man, what shit values you got dude?!? There is literally NOTHING at all, None, zero zilch that’s respectable about Sunny Garcia. Bully snake, thief, wife beater and attitude douche bag. You’re just a typical meat head no brained loser that just backs other meat head loser touch guys. God I hate people like you that talk about respect and shut yet have never give one ounce of it out yourself. You meat head chumps only want respect out of fear. You literally pathologIcally lie all the time. You are that total bully meat head foolio. Sunny Garcia was a loser. Bully, sucker punches guys and talks shit. He’s a disgusting human with a disgusting attitude and persona also. The guy is having all his karma being returned in life, the shame of all his shitty behavior is being dumped on his reality of being even a suicide FAILURE and now a half brain dead idiot that has to live in shame and self hatred and guilt. I hope he’s mentally all there or mostly so he can actually live thru his hurt with acknowledgment and understanding what a loser he’s become and now is. Seriously fuck that guy. There’s nothing to celebrate about him, his career or his life. Total mess and waste of talent and other gifts. Sunny is a bad person. No sugar coating any of it

[@malamawestside]

VERY WELL SAID,THANKS SUNNY!!! U MADE MY DAY!!! OUR FATHER, KNOWS I NEEDED TO HEAR THAT!!!👍🏽👍🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🍒🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽BLESSED✌🏽 MAHALO NUI!!!

[@sugewhitejacoby8654]

Sunny was always cool to me! I haven't followed his health in the past couple months. I hope he is healed and healthy!

[@MaryCooksMemorableDishes]

Sunny, thanks for sharing. (:

[@selectsovereigntydefendlib9884]

You can see some legitimate pain in his eyes as he interviews...like he is on the verge of breaking down and crying. Good to hear that he has Jesus now...

[@trainsacomin2088]

Small people talk about other people, average people talk about things, enlightened people talk about ideas.

[@wishicouldshowmyname5815]

Glad to see Sunny at the latest Hawaiian contest! That was cool!

[@TheHopey8]

Surf industry has nothing to offer surfing. Apart from taking its soul! Well said sunny ☺🤙

[@donaldbrough207]

This is a funny comment from someone that the surf industry has supported financially for years

[@TheHopey8]

@@donaldbrough207 how so ?

[@sherylbaker5214]

@@donaldbrough207 money isn’t everything

[@yourself123321]

Well except huge advancement in surfboard and wetsuit technology

[@TheHopey8]

@@yourself123321 true and the advancements in that are great as well as surfboards but this would have happened as a natural progression. with out the consumer giants that now promote the crap out of surfing and are turning it into a money making thing. when I say nothing to offer surfing I mean in its purist form

[@theseafoodandvapesource944]

Great interview. Bravo Inertia!

[@najanaja2768]

Grew up surfing competed in the nssa surfed for my high school and moved on to super cross etc. Sunny would come ride the track I built in Waiahole valley and was nothing but respectful as I was to him. I think people don't know the spirit of many surfers at the top. You have to have an agro conquer the world yourself and Mother Nature with each wave and respect the fact that the ocean can kill you. That kind of person who can read the waves the ocean the weather reef tide and sum up the competition at a glance is very much part warrior part strategist and part gentle empathetic. They crest structure out of chaos through sheer willpower and strength...... Then to be shoved into a world of users and con men called society that shun truth honor loyalty justice and the like. The same hands on attitude that shapes a wave is crushing to the psyche in such a world especially what Hawaii was and is becoming a usury playground of posers and usurpers of all that attracts the foreign mind into "experience paradise care and fancy free". No such place exists in have and have not with only the beach and waves being a kingdom of men overrun by those who clutch onto ones heel for there pound of flesh and I'll gotten glory. The public likes to taunt and tear down its heroes only to laugh at there misfortune as if they had gained strength by devouring a mans "mana"...... Sunny is cool and has torn through life shacking off for as long as he could those that bring men to heel.

[@gregwebster8784]

Naja Naja well said!

[@samimoring1235]

Naja Naja preach the truth, amen

[@SuperFredrickh]

That part about pissing in his back hard has got me nodding my head. Oregon has its fair share of idiots coming in. People come to do the outdoor thing and then forget to take their trash with them. Most people take nature out here seriously.

[@edmccaffrey1]

Been there 19 times mostly back in the 80's and 90's. Was hassled every time for being haole. Almost got killed in Makaha, even though I know Buffalo and Brian, friends with Rell Sun RIP. Aloha spirit? Comes and goes.

[@xyzct]

I grew up as a haole on a sugar plantation on a remote part of the Big Island from 1965-1975. You couldn't find aloha with a microscope.

[@jasonpaz]

U r the man Sunny! My gave surfer of all time ...wait did he say grandkids?

[@yoya4567]

🔥 speedy recovery..sunny one of the best

[@sirql8]

Dude is real...I think nobody's perfect but if we keep trying, we can get close to its' zip code. I'd love to see Sunny start a church somewhere on the islands.

[@904Jags]

Anyone know the latest prognosis for Sunny? Last I heard it was extremely sad.

[@pedromq7807]

I like Sunny man. Very on point the interview

[@trh3047]

RIGHT ON SUNNY YOU GO CUZ....

[@johnnyutah6239]

The section on respect, should also be called common sense. 100% accurate

[@scoobydoo5491]

Much respect🤙

[@jeffdarnell7942]

And by the way, ANYWHERE you go that's not your home.... you're a guest!! Respect the people and their land at ALL times. You'll find they'll take to you better, and appreciate you more.

[@hiddensurfer]

Humble and handsome...get well soon!

[@jamesormiston263]

Humble,you mean bully!

[@paulkeoninewell3858]

Nui Ka Mahaaalo! Thanks for sharing!

[@ironlionzion2265]

love u unko sunny

[@rotsen995]

People calling him a thug are in some shelter if you wanna see a thug come to harlem, I seem em playing tricks on the streets bloods in my bar shot up another blood last year. His just a guy that doesn't take shit from anybody and has his own demons . People like throwing the word thug around.

[@sportshistorybuff319]

On the North Shore surfing reality show twenty years ago, he threatened a guy in a bar for the crime of....wait for it....looking in the direction of his wife dancing. On another episode, he finished an argument with a guy in a car by reaching in and punching the guy in the head, completely unprovoked in broad daylight. Sounds thuggish to me.

[@nevanevans]

I'm afraid of sharks too haha.. I always wondered if the pros ever get sharky

[@wtfftw24]

How is he today?

[@kennethcook1085]

He likes fighting people he knows he can beat. I think there’s a term for that.

[@bipolatelly9806]

so... you missed the part about him being a christian in the heading.

[@marvinacklin792]

Ironic and heartbreaking, if you know how it turned out

[@johnharris8393]

good on you Sunny,and when those that need a wake up maybe its you that clips them but in my mind it is a benefit for everybody in the community and those with no respect need to be taught a lesson that maybe there farther neglected to teach them.

[@gazpearce3700]

Legend

[@romanizaboss6641]

awesome! 2 short though.

[@spd13062]

I've always considered Sunny to be a very talented surfer who was basically a thug and could not control his anger....but he comes off real well in this interview, maybe jail time gave him some perspective. He might want to dig deeper into the why "he likes to fight" issue. Best of luck to him in the future.

[@sportshistorybuff319]

You were correct in regard to the Sunny of North Shore vintage. In that reality show, he was little more than an aggressive, swaggering bully/meathead. If he's mellowed after prison and a failed suicide, that's great.

[@matthewj9832]

Guys like Sunny and Kealoha might seem local but so much more real than guys like Eddie R and mainlanders who are entitled. Sunny is the Hawaiian Bobby m

[@jfwartwelch6082]

How is he

[@severianxi6990]

is he still alive?

[@goddamaddog]

love sunny ,

[@surfdetective]

Pray for Sunny

[@reycisneros2925]

Get strong , get healthy , sun man, ♥️♦️ love from all 🍷👤

[@johngregory9253]

He sounds like a down to earth guy. A STAND UP guy. But the key to happiness is to know Jesus Christ and know His teachings. He will teach you PEACE. And that is the key to happiness. God bless you 🙏

[@prowelderbill]

Comercialization is the root to the down fall of surfing

[@Karakaboardriders]

Sure is surf industry and the wsl wear a lot of blame for how crowded and bull shit it is now.

[@CZESAR99]

Dude is a legend but what does he mean saying they took the purity of surfing 🏄‍♂️ no way where there is opportunities to make money of course why not ! You can see the sport they way u wanna see it .. is up to you always ..

[@surferpam1]

Actually, if they're "hating on you," you must be doing something *wrong* and you should take a good long look at yourself.

[@sherylbaker5214]

Not always, love

[@GlassGenius]

I respect him but like most of us he seems to be his own worst enemy.

[@albertsouza904]

Praise the lord my braddah straight up ands well said that’s what’s awesome about surfing you can take out your haters and enjoy the waves and God by your side. 🏄🏾 Aloha my friend

[@clarkewi]

Great champion. True Hawaiian.

[@cloudsinajar]

Bully

[@sherylbaker5214]

@@cloudsinajar human

[@spacemonkey2842]

Wants respect, offers none.

[@AlbionTarkhan]

Exactly. He’s a violent thug. Karma caught up with him

[@jesussaves33]

You reap what you sow

[@longliveavalon]

What a boss

[@the5POINTz]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo Sunny.

[@christiankirkwood3402]

I love you mate.

[@hughjarman4783]

well he bashed an aussie surfer in Aus.....

[@AlLuke]

because the guy was a douche

[@swadewade73]

Al Luke yes he was

[@ichorousmedia]

he threatened his son.

[@jorgebarroso3166]

SUPlove.

[@7siamesecat]

Nice ITW but shit camerawork. Focus is out

[@kealakolash3404]

✌Aloha SG.🏄legend.👈🌍

[@johnmorgan2488]

tell Eddie and kala and sunny to come to darwin to meet the real full blooded aboriginals if you play up there your dead

[@keoniable]

John Morgan shut up

[@newmanmalama1885]

Your people are jokes

[@Max14163]

20 years ago it seemed Sunny's career would take the same trajectory as Kelly's. Now 20 years later, Sunny is an ex-con while Kelly is regarded as the greatest athlete who ever lived, regardless of sport. Time separates out the winners from the losers.

[@dickboardingtime7989]

YEA THE MEANING OF ALOHA IS NOT BEATING THE SHIT OUT OF KIDS IN AUS

[@jeffdarnell7942]

8 to 10 BILLION $'s are made in the surfing industry today, and the ONE World Champion, MIGHT bring in $3 Million in that year. It's EASY to see that the Corporate World of Surfing Industry just SWALLOWS it up...it's not fun anymore..

[@dukepalk6324]

You know sunny hawaiians have been suppressed for so long, that the poor Hawaiian's talk bad about successful Hawaiian's because they have none regardless of the circumstances putting them in their position. wealthy Hawaiian's talk bad because they are bitter about all the hard work they had to put in to get to where they are at, and some surprised and pissed that their royal blood doesn't seem to get its respect like they feel it should so they want self made successful hawaiians to give them reverence because they (other Hawaiian's ) should know better. And last but not least, lots of wealthy hawaiians become high maka, maka because they are on the offense from the government's state and federal decades of suppression and thievery. That's my spin or opinion. Not a smart hawaiian did 15 years in a haole penitentiary over some haole's and my lolo judgement. But I am Hawaiian"🌅 paperwork and all, but sometimes a little hate enters my mind when I see wealthy hawaiians, I hate a little bit, only because none raise a pinky to unite their people for the greater good, locking themselves away as if our aina has no problems which problems will soon devour all that the kanaka maoli are. "We are now the tourists and the haole are the kings and queens of our land."Waiting in line for homestead is like state welfare, and trust me it's the same. Much aloha, maybe it's best if the Hawaiian signicate still existed atleast we would have a chance to rule our streets and regulate action where the low income hawaiians live and breath and restore the hawaiian pride. Duke.🏄 Cali-Hui.

[@richardkuszel2351]

He's a lier . You know exactly what you have and what you have to pay. Excuses are like assholes everyone has one and they all stink

[@maxpower8429]

I doubt his cpa told him to not pay taxes…

[@joaomorim2761]

Tough boy got fucked up

[@Dreamster399]

The surfing industry "has created a monster" says the tool wearing the Rock Star energy drink hat.

[@garrettmoore2791]

Dreamster399 word

[@shanehester4852]

Dreamster399 I

[@bipolatelly9806]

Dreamster399 he rides a surfboard too... Surfing has been corporatised. Like everything. He's right and you're "the tool".

[@brianjasta3994]

I bet you wouldn’t say that to him lol

[@sirql8]

Living in HI is really tough and Sunny is as tough as they come. If Rockstar pays for wearing a hat, you wear the hat....but I wouldn't 'dream' of calling Sunny Garcia a 'tool' if I were you.

[@TheRIBLING]

Tax Evasion !! They should pay you being Sunny :)

[@LordFlashheart1]

Goes to church yet beats people up. Although that might be the other way round now 🤷🏼‍♂️ good luck

[@dickboardingtime7989]

GOD TAKE SUNNY AND GIVE US BACK DEREK

[@cedricm5153]

From what i'm hearing coming out of his mouth: He has a lot of negative outlooks on things in life. I can see why he attempted suicide.

[@homanasiri843]

The inertia lacks motion very stale

[@lovingmy4zzz529]

this guy should never preach... church once in awhile

[@Hugo4104]

Sunny needs to stay in prison

[@laniakea777]

I remember witnessing him surf thru the trials at 17 to get 2nd at the OP Pro.

[@stewartpaul7]

WTF alright Luke. Bashing kids on our beaches. The locals should have nailed him. Very disappointing from the boys up there in QLD.

[@jorgediazgranadosmaldonado2027]

Basura

[@Me-vl4qp]

RIP SUNNY. RIP

[@nateshattuck4353]

Pro surfing is a circus now it left with the 80 ssss in my view

[@barrystarkey5737]

Much respect 🤙