Chloe Buckley, a 27-year-old surfer and lifeguard from San Diego, died in a car crash. Image: Facebook/San Diego Lifeguard Association
Chloe Buckley, a 27-year-old lifeguard and surfer, died in a car accident just after midnight on Friday, June 29th. Buckley, a San Diego native, surfed on both her high school surf team and college surf team, and was on the QS in 2011.
The accident happened on Route 52 at around 12:30 a.m. According to reports, she lost control of her vehicle, which rolled, flipped over the center divider, and caught on fire. She died on the scene.
Buckley was featured in January’s issue of La Jolla Lifestyle Magazine. “It started with a love for the beach and waves,” she said when asked when her love of surfing began. Bodysurfing turns to boogie boarding, turns to surfing, turns to my favorite thing: sharing it with my brother and spending time with my father.”
Pete Buckley, Chloe’s father, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that she was a “globetrotting surfer, from Central America to Australia and elsewhere.” Friends and family of Chloe are devastated. “We are humbled to call her one of our own and saddened that she was taken so soon,” wrote the San Diego Lifeguard Association on Facebook. “Chloe’s unmatched zest for life, infectious smile, and beaming positive attitude are attributes that we should all aspire to have. Chloe taught us to be kind, thoughtful, and true to oneself. She left a great mark on the lifeguard service, one that will be hard to match and never forgotten. Our hearts go out deeply to the family.”
A crowdfunding campaign started by friends to help and support with the Memorial costs has been started. “We have started this campaign because when our son Nathan died, who was a very close friend of Chloe’s, someone did this for us,” the organizers wrote. “There are no words explaining how important and meaningful that was. And frankly, we don’t know how we would have handled everything without the help and love of the community. Chloe filled every space, every room, every encounter; with her uniqueness, genuine loving smile, contagious personality, zest for life, and grace towards others.”
A paddleout has been organized at Windansea on July 28th at 10 a.m. Our sincerest condolences to the friends, family, and anyone affected.
