'Not allowed': Mystery surrounds surfing legend as family updates banned

Sports Reporter

Thu, 5 Mar 2020, 10:41 pm·3-min read

It’s been several months since the surfing world was last updated on the condition of legendary surfer Sunny Garcia, and his daughter Kaila has finally revealed why.

The 50-year-old made an attempt on his own life in April 2019 which left him in a coma.

BEAUTIFUL: Sally Fitzgibbons reveals incredible gesture from Sunny Garcia

Garcia awoke from the coma five months later, but still requires intensive treatment.

Since that time though, there has been extremely limited information made public about the surfing legend’s condition and recovery.

Kaila Garcia, who had been providing updates on her father’s conditions via the ‘Pray4Sunny’ Instagram page, made one final post on the account before shutting it down soon after, explaining why updates had ceased.

“We (my sister and I) have been extremely hesitant and have to be extremely careful with what we say that pertains to our dad,” she wrote.

“I have asked one of our attorneys if it was ok to explain why we have not been allowed to update anybody on our dad.

“He said we could say, ‘Per an order from the court due to a SPECIFIC REQUEST from both my dad’s guardians’ we have been told we are not allowed to give out any information to ANYONE about our dad anymore.

Sunny Garcia, pictured during a 2018 Masters surfing event, has been recovering from an attempt to take his own life in 2019. — Nearly 12 months after an attempt on his own life left him in a five-month coma, family of Sunny Garcia have revealed a court order has compelled them to stop providing updates on the surfing legend's condition. (Photo by Laurent Masurel/World Surf League via Getty Images)

“And that’s why the updates stopped.

“I’m sorry it has to be this way, because I know there are so many of you who love and care for my dad, including those who have known him for 30-40+ years or longer and are so eager to see how he’s doing.

“We wish things were different but this is the reality of the situation right now.”

Kaila did not indicate if there was any chance of the court order being altered in any way to allow for public updates.

Long road of rehabilitation awaits Sunny Garcia

Garcia, 49, has been able to say a few words to his family, but would have a long road of recovery and rehabilitation ahead of him, Kaila said in a September 2019 Instagram post.

“We are taking one day at a time and celebrating each little triumph,” she wrote on Instagram.

Text from the final post from the 'pray4sunny' Instagram page, administered by Kaila Garcia, before it was switched to private.

“My dad is a warrior and fighting everyday to get better and stronger.

“He has said a few words and is now in therapy daily- physical, speech and occupational.

“My family and I thank you for your continued support for my dad as he continues to heal. It’s going to be a marathon not a sprint but we work every day to make sure he is surrounded with love, laughter and ohana.”