Sugar The Surfing Dog, First Canine Hall of Famer, Dies at 16

The beloved rescue dog was a five-time world champion and therapy dog.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:19am

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Sugar The Surfing Dog, a 16-year-old rescue dog from Huntington Beach, California who was the first canine inducted into the Surfer's Hall of Fame, has died after battling cancer. Sugar was a five-time dog surfing world champion known for her natural talent and ability to balance on a surfboard, often riding the waves alone or with her owner Ryan Rustan. In addition to her surfing prowess, Sugar also spent her days comforting veterans as a dedicated therapy dog.

Why it matters

Sugar's passing marks the end of an era for the sport of dog surfing, which she helped pioneer and popularize through her impressive skills and joyful spirit. As the first canine Hall of Famer, Sugar broke new ground and inspired other dogs to take up the sport, while also using her platform to give back to the community through her therapy work.

The details

Sugar was found as a stray and over the years, her love of the waves and natural talent took dog surfing to new heights. Dressed in a life jacket, spectators would watch in amazement as the furry white canine balanced on her surfboard, riding wave after wave back to the shore, sometimes with her owner Ryan Rustan by her side and other times all on her own.

Sugar died on Monday, March 31, 2026.
Sugar was a five-time dog surfing world champion over the years.

The players