The World Surf League has confirmed the former world champion Sunny Garcia is in intensive care.

“With heavy hearts we confirm that Sunny Garcia is in the ICU in the hospital,” the WSL posted on Twitter. “Sunny has always been a great champion of surfing, both in and out of the water. Our prayers are with him and his loved ones at this deeply challenging time.”

World Surf League (@wsl) With heavy hearts we confirm that Sunny Garcia is in the ICU in the hospital. Sunny has always been a great champion of surfing, both in and out of the water. Our prayers are with him and his loved ones at this deeply challenging time. pic.twitter.com/re0F3l9toI

The 49-year-old is being treated in a hospital in Oregon, and the WSL added that his family have requested privacy.

Garcia grew up in Hawaii and turned professional in his teens. After a promising early career it looked like he may have missed his chance at reaching the top of his sport but a resurgence in form helped him to the world title in 2000. He has also won the triple crown of surfing – three events in Hawaii at the end of the year that often involve huge waves – six times, more than any other surfer. He was also the second surfer to win more than $1m in prize money.

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater was among those to post messages of support. “Sunny...I love you, brother,” wrote Slater on Instagram. “I just can’t even fathom you not here. We’ve got so much more living to do before we are done. 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 inducted into surfing’s walk of fame in 2010, and has been active in charities for autism and cystic fibrosis. However, he was sentenced to three months in prison for tax fraud in 2007, and has spoken about his struggles with depression.