'Praying for a miracle': Surfing legend Sunny Garcia still fighting for life

Sunny Garcia's family is 'praying for a miracle' as the surfing legend remains in hospital fighting for his life.

The 49-year-old is in a critical condition in an Oregon ICU, where he has been since he was found unconscious on April 29.

"True to Sunny, he is strong and he is fighting," reads a Gofundme page set up on behalf of the family.

"Each day brings a glimmer of hope but it will be a very long road ahead."

The fundraising effort was created "to help support (the family) with mounting bills and expenses".

Garcia's children Kaila, Logan and Stone have left their home in Hawaii to be with their father at the hospital.

The Gofundme has raised more than US$30,000 in two days, with a goal of US$150,000.

“We are praying for a miracle!” the page read.

Garcia’s crowning glory came when he won the world surfing title in 2000.

He also won the triple crown of surfing – three events in Hawaii at the end of the year – six times.

He was the second surfer to win more than US$1 million in prize money.

Garcia was inducted into surfing’s walk of fame in 2010 and has worked with charities for autism and cystic fibrosis since his retirement.

In 2007, he was sentenced to three months in prison for tax fraud, and has spoken about his struggles with depression after being released.

Kelly Slater led the tributes after news of Garcia’s condition emerged.

“Sunny... I love you, brother. I just can’t even fathom you not here. We’ve got so much more living to do before we are done,” he wrote on Instagram.

“There’s been hard times but there have been so many good ones, too. Just praying you wake up and we get more of you.”

Garcia was honoured on stage at the recent World Surf League’s Big Wave Awards.

The ceremony took place on May 2, just days after the Hawaiian was admitted to hospital.