The surfing world has lost a beloved star. Sugar the Surfing Dog has passed away at the age of 16.
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"Sugar The Surfing Dog passed away last night at 3:20am in her daddy's arms (Ryan Rustan)," Sugar's official Instagram account posted on Monday. "Monday. June 14-2011 - March 30. 2026.
"(She) absolutely loved you guys!! she lived to put smiles on faces, volunteer, to send it !! to change dog surfing forever !!! thank you for loving Sugar, Good bye my Sugar., i can't believe in writing this .. i'm going to miss you so much."
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The adventurous pup last took on the waves on March 7, 2026. She donned her life vest and took her last ride.
Sugar started life as a stray on the streets of Oakland, California. Rustan rescued her at 7 months old and taught her the art of surfing. The pup went on to become a five-time World Dog Surf Champion. Sugar also became the first animal inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame.
Along with bringing joy to people with skills on the surfboard, the pup also served as a therapy dog at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Long Beach, California.
This passing follows a heartbreaking update from Rustan. He created a GoFundMe campaign on March 2, which would help him provide comfort for Sugar amid cancer treatment.
As he explained in the description, this money would help offset the costs of vet visits, medications, and special home-cooked meals. It would also cover exploring alternative cancer treatment for the therapy dog. Rustan noted that he would try "CBD, medicinal mushrooms, herbal supplements, or other natural remedies to support her immune system and comfort."
The campaign has now changed its focus. It is now "Sugar's Cremation & Paddle-Out: Legacy Fund." This fund, which is at 99% of its goal, still has an important milestone to reach. Rustan noted that he has five hard drives full of footage from Sugar's "adventures, surfing wins, and therapy work." His goal is to produce a video to share her story with the world.
