Joaquin is back on his feet and surfing well. He’s just got some debt hanging over his head. Photo: Greg Nagel
When Joaquin del Castillo was pulled out of the water by lifeguards after a bone-shattering fall at Pipeline, he wasn’t sure if he would ever walk again. His slam on the reef fractured his pelvis in multiple places and led him straight into emergency surgery in Hawaii. As if things couldn’t get any worse, he also didn’t have proper medical insurance to cover the hospital visit. The result was months out of the water away from his career and tens of thousands of dollars of crushing medical debt.
The good news is Joaquin is already back in the water without any pain. Since his surgery in December of last year, he’s rehabilitated himself. He even won a local contest in Peru and traveled to Brazil to compete in the Saquarema Surf Festival in April where he placed 17th. But the bad news is that his hospital debt still looms. A crowdfunding campaign started by a friend came up well short of its USD $100,000 goal, topping out at $20,650.
Joaquin now finds himself in a uniquely touchy situation. To continue being a pro surfer he needs to return to the U.S., particularly Hawaii, the place where debt collectors are eager to pry open his wallet. To learn more about Joaquin’s recovery and how he plans to proceed with hospital bills potentially threatening his career and U.S. Visa, we had a chat about his status.
The following interview was translated from Spanish.
You’re back to competing again. Was your recovery faster than expected?
Actually the recovery was a little slower than what they told me. The surgeon told me that after four weeks I should be able to surf, but I didn’t go into the water until 10 weeks after the operation. And the physical therapist that I have here also wanted to put me in the water at seven weeks, so all the therapists and surgeons gave me less time, but I asked for a little more. But even so it was super fast. Ten weeks after surgery I was in the water. I am at 100 percent now. Nothing hurts. I haven’t ridden big waves or barrels yet, but as far as competitive surfing and maneuvers, I’ve been feeling good.
You don’t have any physical limitations?
None at all. At the beginning my range of movement was a little limited, but not anymore.
What are your competition plans this year? Are you going to go back to Hawaii?
My plan is to return to Hawaii, to Pipeline, in December. But for the time being I am going to compete in the regional events and try to be in the top seven here in South America to make the Challengers.
Do you have any fear of returning to Pipeline where the injury happened?
Right now, no. It’s just not so clear now because it’s so far away. But who knows? When I buy my ticket, or when I am on my way to Hawaii, when I get on the sand and a swell arrives that is truly huge Pipeline, maybe some fear could surface. But I am going to be ready, physically and mentally.
Everything is different now. I was in a situation that I’ve never been in in my life. I didn’t know if I was going to surf or even walk again. It’s like a second chance for me. I am doing everything that I did before twice as hard. More tenacity, more strength, and believing in myself. It feels good, I’ve been surfing well, and I think good things are coming my way.
Joaquin wants to get back to more of this, ASAP. Photo: Maxfield Bonta
Were you able to find a solution to pay all your hospital bills in the U.S.?
I am going to be traveling to California soon to clear that topic up a bit. I am paying bit by bit. I want to negotiate the price because I am not going to be able to cover the amount they’ve charged.
Did the crowdfunding campaign that you had cover a good chunk of it?
That covered $20,000 and of that, for the rehab, I’ve used about $7,000-8,000. I am trying to do what I can on my side as well, selling some things that I have, making/selling t-shirts. It’s hard, but it can be done.
Does that hospital bill affect your ability to travel to the U.S.?
I am not sure. That’s why I want to go there now and settle things.
Has your injury affected your sponsorships?
No. It didn’t affect my sponsorships, but my situation didn’t get better either. It’s always a battle. I can’t complain, with the few sponsors that I have I am able to travel and compete. But it could always be better, right?
What would you say you’ve learned through this whole recovery process?
I think patience. To be patient and realize that things could always be worse. There are people going through worse things. We are blessed to be able to walk, to go surfing, to live the lives we have. I feel like I still have a lot to achieve, lots of plans. It’s a reset of my soul and mind. I take it as something super positive.
