After high school Dave and I went our separate ways.  I moved to San Diego for awhile and rode my last waves down there.  After that, I moved inland and my surfing endeavors came to an end.  While I loved to surf, I had to chose my priorities and if I hadn’t moved away from the beach, I probably would have never made it through college.  Meanwhile, Dave actually moved to Southern California for college so he could study and surf everyday.  I always admired Dave’s discipline in managing his work and recreational activities.  After graduating from UCLA with a degree in design, he started a successful design business in Huntington Beach and lived out his high school dream of surfing at his leisure.  I should also mention that Dave was excellent at what ever he did.  He was an “A” student, a first-class surfer, an extraordinary artist, and an exceptional friend.

After I moved to Colorado in the 1990s, Dave and I somehow lost touch.  I guess we both just got busy doing what we loved in the places we loved.  Last week, I was thinking about Dave and decided to look him up.  After searching the Internet and connecting with his brother on Facebook, I was suddenly hit by the horrific news that Dave passed away on March 26, 2009, at the age of 43.  I am still in disbelief when I think about it, but only for a second … because the second I think about David Kitagawa’s death, I think about his life.  Dave was such an inspirational person that he will live forever in many ways.  When I think of Dave, I remember him as a life artist; someone who was constantly making his life exactly what he wanted it to be, and as he did that, he was also making profound, permanent changes to the world around him.

Dave’s life artistry was highly evident in the surf community.  He loved surfing and the lifestyle associated with it.  His dedication to the sport was inspirational and infectious.  In doing what he loved, Dave inspired others to do what they love.  I am grateful to be one of the many he inspired.  If you need a dose of inspiration, take a look at the memorial video below, which was put together by Dave’s brother Ron Kitagawa.  After you watch it, get out and do whatever it is that you love to do.  In the spirit of Dave Kitagawa, do it to the best of your abilities … in doing so, you will better yourself and inspire those around you.  On that note, I am headed out for a mountain bike ride.