The surf and SUP (stand up paddle) community is mourning the loss of waterwoman, Sophia Tiaré Bartlow. Known for being a ball of energy, and radiating positivity and a beaming smile wherever she went. In addition, she won titles in the world of surfing and stand up paddling, and aspired to one day make it to the Olympics.  But on January 28, she was killed in a car accident on the North Shore of Oahu.  She was only 26 years old. Her mother is 1976 world champion surfer Jericho Poppler, inducted in 2004 into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Bartlow was a passenger in a car driven by her boyfriend, Sage Candelaria, age 35, who lost control of the car and hit a tree. Excessive speed and alcohol, police said, contributed to the crash.  Candelaria, has since been arrested for investigation of first-degree negligent homicide, drunken driving and driving without a license.

A memorial paddle out service was held at Northside Huntington Beach, CA where hundreds showed up to honor the memory of Sophia Tiaré Bartlow who left such deep footprints wherever she went.

Flowers, pictures, and signed surfboards brought for Bartlow's memorial

LOVE. SHINE. GLOW. was Bartlow's mantra and was chanted during the paddle out.

view of the paddle out from Huntington Beach pier (obtained from 1.spiritual)

Solo amore

A video posted by Sophia Tiare (@sophiatiare) on Feb 7, 2017 at 7:44pm PST

taken from  Sophia's instagram: @sophiatiare