Young Surf Filmmaker Diagnosed With Rare Form Of Bone Cancer - Stab Mag
1086 Views

Young Surf Filmmaker Diagnosed With Rare Form Of Bone Cancer

Contribute to Hayden Garfield’s recovery here.

news // Dec 14, 2023
Words by Holden Trnka
Reading Time: 2 minutes

This week, it has come to light that Hayden Garfield, friend of Stab and one of the surf industry’s young talents, has been diagnosed with and is recovering from cancer.

The GoFundMe page, created by the 20-year olds mother (who has also battled cancer) reads:

“Hayden was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Adamantinoma. It’s a very rare, less than 1% of all bone cancers and there isn’t a lot of research or information out there. This kind of bone cancer does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. Surgery is his only option at this point.

I’ve been in Hayden’s shoes and I want this to be a different experience for him. To any mom or dad out there with a child going through cancer, you know what I mean. You would do anything to help your baby.

This is important to me because I know the financial stress of being a cancer survivor and I don’t want Hayden to have to stress over not working for the next year. There are many out of pocket fees, hotels, alternative treatment which is not covered by Haydens health insurance. Doctors orders are NO travel for work this winter and NO weight bearing for 4 months. Then, little by little Hayden will start his rehabilitation program, once his bones start to heal in his leg. This is going to be an uncertain amount of time which means Hayden will be taken away from what he loves the most, traveling the world as a surf photographer.

Hayden is an independent young man who started his film and photography career when he was 18 years old. This is devastating for him and I feel helpless as his mom. I want to help him focus on resting and recovering so he can get back to what he loves and your donations will help him so much.”

Hayden, mentored by Ryan Miller and Morgan Maasen, has worked with us on a variety of projects, including Stab Highway California and The Pick-Up.

Donate here to help his recovery.

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

Watch: Episode 02 of Stab In The Dark X Starring Kelly Slater

Are we all ordering five fin setups now?

Jan 28, 2026

Breaking: John John Florence Will NOT Be Surfing On The 2026 Championship Tour

Is this it?

Jan 27, 2026

Why William Aliotti Picked Up The Bong

Europe's premier freesurfer on leaving Volcom after 15 years and joining Billabong.

Jan 26, 2026

Here’s Why We Included A Wildcard In Stab In The Dark X 

The Mann among men.

Jan 23, 2026

Watch: Only The Best Waves From EAST With Mikey February

11 minutes of star-studded velvet.

Jan 23, 2026

Rumor: Is The CT Quitting J Bay In 2026?

And where it might be heading instead...

Jan 23, 2026

Parker Coffin + Dane Reynolds Saddle Up In Ch11’s ‘This Is Where I Am.’

Long-form storytelling refuses to die.

Jan 21, 2026

Watch: Episode 01 of Stab In The Dark X Starring Kelly Slater

Who will the greatest surfer of all time crown the shaper of the decade?

Jan 21, 2026

On Junior Surfers, Baby Turtles, And Surfing’s Hope Imperative

Dane Henry and Isla Huppatz won World Junior Titles. What does it mean?

Jan 21, 2026

Night Will Never Fall On The Rising Sun

Peep Billabong's new Andy Irons Collection, help kids in need.

Jan 20, 2026

SEOTY: Brody Mulik Stars In ‘fourteen.’

Homeschooled at The Box and Tombies, the fifteen-year-old might be Western Australia's best student.

Jan 19, 2026

What Was It Really Like To Hang With Andy And Bruce In The 90s?

The Stab Interview with Lost Generation filmer and poke sauce peddler, Patrick “Tupat” Eichsteadt.

Jan 16, 2026

Golfers v Surfers: Newport’s Wavepool Battle Rages On

The worlds biggest Wavegarden will cost you 3 holes, a driving range, and $250,000 per…

Jan 15, 2026

2025 Was The Year Of The Rat

Comment of the Year 2025 goes to...

Jan 13, 2026

We Had Eight World Class Surfers Blind Test 117 Surfboards From 37 Shapers

This is the story of Stab In The Dark, so far.

Jan 12, 2026

Do We Appreciate Creed McTaggart Enough?

GERAMANIA — ASIA DOWN THE LINE

Jan 12, 2026

The Year Of Magic Boards, Bare Thighs, Strong Chins & Euro Dominance Is Upon Us

Read Stab's 2026 predictions, and take our future-telling quiz

Jan 11, 2026

“One Of Those Forecasts That’s So Scary You’re Kinda Hoping It Goes Onshore”

The Gaelic swell that put three of the world's best big wave surfers on the…

Jan 9, 2026
Advertisement