BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Dear Friends,

Jane and I are very sorry to inform you that Don died of a brain
aneurysm last night. We are working on arrangements with his daughter and will let you know when we will be holding an Alameda service for him.

Don was a great friend, dedicated instructor and genuine, caring man.
We will miss him tremendously.

Rebecca
Boardsports School

This is very sad news and a complete surprise. I've never known Don to say anything bad or negative about anyone or even anything, and I've always thought of him as a kind and good man.

I'm very sorry to hear this news.

Ollie

Godspeed Brother.

Seize the day my friends, you just never know when the brief stint is over on this big, blue ball of water. Hug your kids, kiss your wife, ride a kiteboard TODAY.

my condolences to the family. don had been one of the friendliest person i know on and off the beach. he is always encouraging and quick to lend a helpful hand to all. he had been an integral part of the alameda kiting family. showing up to the beach and not see don? it feels weird just thinking about it. don-you will be missed and i know you will be ripping it up if there is kiting where you are ;-).

jenny

Oh MY GOD! That is so sad! SO sorry to hear that!!!
He was such an amazing guy!!!!

really sad news. Don gave me my land lesson his first year here in the bay area. I'm sure he taught 100s of kiters in the area (and abroad). He was a really genuine guy and I really respected his opinion and his attitude.

-John

Don was the guy who was always there when you had a question or a concern. He taught me how to fix my leaky valve. He always talked about finding the butter. What a nightmare.

Rebecca & Jane, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss and the huge loss to the Alameda /bay area kiting family. My son's and I will miss him very much. Thank you for taking the time to post and letting us know.

I calle dhim last night for a last minute night ride, wondering why he didnt return my call. He was my favorite guy to go kiting with here as he is my neighbor. He would come over and share stories with Tianna and i over a beer and be here til midnight telling us how he either drove a van through an insurance building or got lofted 6 ' in the air self launching at some dicy spot. If paris Hilton can trademark "Thats hot!" then Don gets full rights to the term "Epic!" as he used this word as a way to frequently describe his adventures. I still cant quite believe this is real. I drove up shoreline and saw the doors of the shack closed and knew that he would not be there when I looked for him. I kited in front of his place for a few hours just staring at his place pretending to see him coming out with his gear.

I didn't realize this til now but he was a really good friend. There are only a few people here that I know I will know my whole life no matter what and he was definately one of them.

I know this much. He would want all of us to kite as many great sessions as possible. He would want us to do it safely. I know he would want to be remembered as instructing the "right" way even if told to do so otherwise.

that smile he had always made this a warmer place. This sucks! I wonder if theparks would mind if we named his spot on the beach, Don's launch, or something dedicated to him.

Can someone find a picture, it would help me say goodbye...

Although, his most recent post is a nice memory to have (4:30am -- did he have a real bad headache or was getting up that early normal?):

https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/vie ... highlight=

Don Bogardus
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:38 am Post subject: winter kite spots

Mui Ne S. Vietnam is really nice!. $10/day for air conditioned bungalo next to beach,
$3/day motorbike rental,
gigantic fresh sefood dinner @ Lam Tong
(served up by one of the gorgous sisters) $2.
Beautiful country/ people, Wave sailing, and oh yeah don't forget the 7m!.