New challenge but just for the fun of it

As a six-time Triple Crown of Surfing winner and record-setting 22-time World Qualifying Series event victor, world champion Sunny Garcia is used to attracting the lion’s share of attention in any surf lineup.

However, as the 44-year-old waterman attempts his first Xterra World Championship triathlon Sunday on the rugged hillside of Kapalua, Maui, Garcia is anticipating a "humbling" experience. While his name and surfing accomplishments draw understandable attention, Garcia will compete alongside a field of elite professionals, fellow crossover athletes and weekend warriors alike as 800 racers from 40 countries and 40 states gather for the 19th running of what is billed as the "world’s premier off-road triathlon."

"For sure, this is going to be the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life," said Garcia of the rigorous event that features a 0.93-mile swim, an 18.6-mile bike ride including more than 3,100 feet of climbing through rugged hills and fields on the West Maui Mountains and a 6.1-mile run across mountain trails and beach sand.

"I’ve never been one to know the word ‘quit,’ and to win a championship in any sport, you need to have that drive."

For Garcia, the second professional surfer to top the $1 million mark in prize money, Sunday’s competition isn’t about capturing part of the race’s $100,000 purse. The competitor, who recalls participating in approximately 10 triathlons in recent years, is more focused on finding that next athletic rush as he looks forward to the winter surf season.

"My wife calls it a hobby of mine," said Garcia, who won the prestigious Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour title in 2000, of his foray into triathlons. "It’s just a way to keep myself in shape relative to surfing. I still feel capable of winning the Triple Crown. Obviously when you get older, everything becomes much harder, so I figure if I put myself through all these different things, I won’t get beat up as much surfing."

While Garcia has not trained as extensively as he may have wanted prior to Sunday’s race, he instead spent a great deal of time working with children as part of the Mauli Ola Foundation’s effort to introduce surfing as a natural treatment for people with cystic fibrosis and other afflictions. Now, the North Shore resident will put down the surfboard and forge ahead on a brand-new mountain bike.

"If I finish this event, I’ll be super happy," Garcia said. "I actually just got my mountain bike a couple days ago, so I haven’t ridden on the trails in a while. I’m not where I should be by any means, but I’m going to go out and have as much fun as I can."

Ruben Ruzafa of Spain is back to defend his title while chasing a third Xterra World Championship, and Conrad "The Caveman" Stoltz of South Africa returns as the sport’s most successful racer with an unprecedented 51 wins and four Xterra World Championships. Women’s reigning champion Nicky Samuels of New Zealand also returns to Maui to defend her title on Sunday.

"He’s a fantastic rider. I told him his (biking) is much better than my surfing," said the 41-year-old Stoltz — the event’s record holder at 2 hours, 22 minutes and 55 seconds set in 2002 — after completing a practice run alongside Garcia on Thursday. "He’s got the moves, and obviously he’s into the sport for the challenge and the adventure. The advice I gave him is to take it easy because it’s a long day."

When asked about how the pounding from the Xterra’s rugged trails compares to being rocked and rolled in big-wave wipeouts, Garcia responded: "I ride dirt bikes all the time, so I’m used to taking dirt samples (spills). But with this race, you’re sweating, your heart’s coming out of your chest, you’re tired. I have some strawberries on my shins and on my thigh (from falling during training) but it’s all part of the experience.

"I would much rather take waves on the head at Waimea than ride this course."

Garcia will compete at roughly 215 pounds — a tick above his usual surfing weight of 200-or-so pounds. While the experienced athlete is wary of the "three to four hours of intense cardio" expected on Sunday — quite a step up from the 25-minute surfing heats he’s used to —Garcia is excited to test his mettle against an "amazing" field of competitors at Xterra.

"I’m not under any illusion that I’m young, but I still enjoy challenging myself. Most local people would say ‘Why bother?,’ but even though it’s painful, I find it fun and challenging," Garcia said. "I’m out doing a good thing for my health and the people here at Xterra are so great to work with."