When Joaquín del Castillo was pulled from the water by lifeguards after a fall at Pipeline that shattered his pelvis in multiple parts, he wasn't sure if he would ever walk again. The fall led him directly to emergency surgery in Hawaii, and without proper health insurance, he accumulated a medical debt of tens of thousands of dollars. The good news is that Joaquín is now back in the water, pain-free. Since his surgery last December, he has fully rehabilitated, winning a local contest in Peru and competing in the Saquarema Surf Festival in Brazil, where he finished in 17th place. However, the bad news is that his hospital debt remains unpaid. A crowdfunding campaign started by a friend reached only $20,650 of its $100,000 goal.

Joaquín has returned to competing, although his recovery was slower than expected. He was initially told he would be able to surf after four weeks, but did not return to the water until ten weeks after the operation. Now he is 100% and competing without physical limitations. He plans to return to Hawaii, to Pipeline, in December. In the meantime, he will compete in regional events in South America, with the goal of being among the top seven to qualify for the Challengers. Although he doesn't feel afraid now, he recognizes that it could arise when he is on his way to Hawaii and faces huge waves again. However, he feels ready both physically and mentally.

Joaquín is paying off his debt little by little and hopes to negotiate the total amount, as he cannot cover the full sum. The crowdfunding campaign covered $20,000, of which he has used $7,000-8,000 for his rehabilitation. He is doing everything he can to raise money. Despite the challenges, he is grateful for the sponsors he has, which allow him to travel and compete. Joaquín has learned the importance of patience and to appreciate the things he has. He values being able to walk, surf, and live the life he has, viewing this experience as a positive reset for his soul and mind.

At Discover Punta Hermosa, we support Joaquín del Castillo and his inspiring story of recovery and resilience. If you wish to help, consider contributing to his efforts to manage his medical bills and continue his professional surfing career at the following link.

GO FUND ME – JOAQUÍN DEL CASTILLO

Let's support Joaquín, an example of determination and passion, representing the best of the surfing spirit in Punta Hermosa.