Surf World Mourns Zach Rhinehart, Beloved Southern California Fixture - Stab Mag

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

17 Views

Surf World Mourns Zach Rhinehart, Beloved Southern California Fixture

The Oceanside “shuv-it pioneer” battled cancer for almost three years. 

elsewhere // Oct 18, 2023
Words by Stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

It’s with heavy hearts we report that, after many years battling multiple cancer diagnoses, Oceanside, California’s thoroughly beloved Zach Rhinehart has died. 

Most surfers met Zach at his local haunt, Oceanside Pier, where he sharpened his teeth as a grom, eventually becoming one of the most progressive and technical surfers in the area, stomping shuv-its and progressive above the lip maneuvers. Zach was in-step with the best of the 2010’s air guys, and often featured in Transworld Surf’s major projects

In 2020, Stab reported on Zach’s diagnoses: “It’s gut-wrenching to see a good man laid low. Sadly, Oceanside shuv-it pioneer Zach Rhinehart has been grounded by the cancer. Diagnosed with Stage 3 Gastro Esophageal Junction cancer, he’s fighting the good fight. Before Christmas, he locked into an intense six-week chemo session. He’s withered down and ravaged, but the spirit to endure remains.” 

For the last two years, the international surf community has rallied around Zach as he’s fought for his life, while local organizations like the Oceanside Boardriders, as well as surfer-owned North County San Diego businesses continued to band together, getting behind Zach’s battle. 

In February of this year, Zach took to Instagram with the news the cancer had spread to his bladder, and while he continued to fight valiantly until the bitter end, that fight has tragically come to an end. 

Rest in Power, Zach Rhinehart. Oceanside will never forget you. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 3, 2025

When Surfer’s Eye Is Actually Cancer

Erin Campbell's brutal journey from surf camp dreams to chemo drops, cryotherapy, and surgical horror.

Jul 3, 2025

Surfing’s 2025 Q2 Report

An assessment of surfing's vital signs throughout the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 2, 2025

What Actually Happened to Occy’s Mad Max Plunger Pool In Yeppoon?

Surf Lakes’ brass talks: internet hecklers, the unplugging of the plunger, and the Tom Curren…

Jul 2, 2025

Poor Goofy Foots 

Data shows that the world is stacked against goofs — they even make 15% less money than…

Jul 1, 2025

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media hackings, debts unpaid — and yet, reopening looms.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025

Saq Wrap: Italo Celebrates Mid-Heat, Griff Drops A Freestyle, Jordy + Yago Continue BBQing 20-YOs

Top seeds sow ruin, Final 5 starts to crystallize.

Jun 27, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 26, 2025

SEOTY: The ‘Once-In-A-Decade’ Caribbean Swell That Kelly Slater Passed On

Michael Dunphy stars in Jimmicane's 'Blue Veil'

Jun 25, 2025

Who Owns Bingin? Legal Fight To Stop Demolition Begins

Eviction notices served for all businesses built on state land.

Jun 25, 2025

Tony Hawk Just Named Hughie Vaughan’s Internet-Breaking Air Because… No One Else Can

89% of our IG poll respondents claimed the 'stale fish flipper' was the best air…

Jun 25, 2025

German Surfers: AN INVESTIGATION

Truth is the light by which the world can see. 

Jun 24, 2025

“I Lost Everything I’ve Ever Owned, But This Board Came Back”

One month after the LA wildfires, a surfboard washed ashore.

Jun 24, 2025
Advertisement