Beloved Los Angeles Surfer, Artist Tragically Dies

Commemorating their fallen brother, ET Surfboards in Hermosa Beach wrote:

“It is with heavy hearts we have found out our friend Zen Del Rio has left us. He was one of the most genuine people we have ever known. Always positive, and when he talked to you, you’d always be wiser afterwards. Gone way too soon, but hopefully he’s scoring an uncrowded perfect cosmic right-hand barrel! He lives on in his art, the pictures of him surfing, and our memories!”

Del Rio’s body was found at the bottom of a cliff in Palos Verdes. According to a report from the county coroner, the death was deemed a suicide.

One long-time Palos Verdes surfer remembered Del Rio like this: “Zen was a unique fixture in our surf community—a peaceful warrior, artist,  shaper, teacher, and non-conformist who charged big Zicatela with fearless grace. I, along with many others, looked up to him for exactly that.”

Previously, in SURFER’s “People Who Surf” series, we spoke with Del Rio about growing up in Mexico City, moving to California, and his lineage of artists.

“I’m from a full line of artists,” Del Rio said. “Especially on my mom’s side. They go all the way back in Italy to the Renaissance. She was born in Italy and her family was, and continues to be, really inventive. My grandfather, her father, was an inventor and my mom, Gemma, immigrated when she was ten-years-old and grew up in New York City. She ran away from home at the age of fourteen and was a freelance artist her whole life. After she ran away, she lived in New York City until she was in her early 20s and then met this doctor, got married and moved to Mexico City. And that’s where I was born.”

Massive condolences go out to the family and friends of Del Rio. Rest in peace.