“On February 5th, Brendan Leung jumped on his skateboard to cross the street and was struck by a car on the eastside of Santa Cruz. He was taken off life support last night on February 7th after family and some friends stopped by to see him for the last time and talk amongst themselves about the good memories of skateboarding and having Brendan as part of their lives. Brendan was an amazing soul and an exceptionally talented skateboarder who I had the pleasure of skating and shooting photos with a few times in the early 2000s around the Santa Cruz area. Brendan was always in positive spirits with a big smile on his face and eternally fired up to go skate and welcome the next challenge. He will be greatly missed by many whose lives he touched – another fellow skater taken way too soon. RIP Brendan.” – J. Hay
Brendan Leung was a professional skateboarder for Natural Koncept.
“Our son Brendan Lai-wing Leung was hit by a car Monday and is in icu in Santa Clara valley medical center and will not survive. We’re sure everyone who loves and knows him has their own unique and special story. Please share them with us so we can bring them to him. We’re sure that’s what he would want, no sad songs. He celebrated life everyday and we are so fortunate to be a part of his life. Our hearts our broken.” – Brendan’s mom
“Brendan never bails his board… never. He either lands it, or he slams… hard. If you ever see him, check out his elbows, as they may adequately attest to how much abuse his body has been put through. I think he’s got some meditation techniques that make his mind not recognize pain neurons, or maybe it’s just all the suds he drinks. He’s got the deepest bag-o-tricks that I’ve ever seen with Sal flip disasters, 360 ollies, maybe even a Christmas flip if he’s feeling merry. He also does big shit and double kinks as well. He’s easily among the top five people that skate as hard as they can every time they go. Natural Koncept and Brendan Leung, synonymous with psychedelic psychosis, and skateboarding that makes observers feel sorta like someone spiked their drinks. Now, if only we could get him to wash his dishes!” – Paul Wingert (excerpt from Concussion Magazine, issue #21)
“Not just a legendary skateboarder but a legendary person…… that Oregon adventure will forever go down down as one of my favorite skate trip’s of all time and the reason was Brendan Lai-wing Leung presence….. one of the best to ever roll!” – Bruce Rodela
Brendan Leung – Illegitimate Bastard Child
Brendan Leung – Natural Koncepts Demo – May 22 2005
Brendan Leung – Creepin for Life
In 93 I asked if he could do a front-foot impossible, he proceeded to nollie waist height, level off, then whip a late front-foot impossible out of the massive nollie… still to this day, only he could bust a never been done trick, on a board that weighed 30lbs more than him soaking wet, with Tonka truck wheels on it, and do it with a nonchalant style unlike any other💜 his infectious love for life, music and skateboarding will inspire me till I leave this plane of existence. The Gorge will be different this year without you, phriend, as will all our lives
Although I haven’t spoke to Brendan in a few years this news comes as a big shock and leaves my heart heavy. Brendan was truly ONE OF A KIND and held some much heart and personality in a small package. What he lacked in stature he made up for in his passion for skateboarding, music, plants and friendships. I will forever carry with me only fond memories of Brendan. We both share the love for plants and music and I will remember celebrating these pastimes with him. My thoughts go out to Brendan’s family and friends. Rest In Peace Lai Wing
Although I haven’t spoke to Brendan in a few years this news comes as a big shock and leaves my heart heavy. Brendan was truly ONE OF A KIND and held so much heart and personality in a small package. What he lacked in stature he made up for in his passion for skateboarding, music, plants and friendships. I will forever carry with me only fond memories of Brendan. We both share the love for plants and music and I will remember celebrating these pastimes with him. My thoughts go out to Brendan’s family and friends. Rest In Peace Lai Wing
My son Sam and Brendan used to skate in Hingham and Hull Ma. They were quite a pair and I thought Brendan had some Peter Pan in him. Man, that boy could fly. I am so glad to know that he kept on skating and flying. My heart goes out to his mom and dad and sister. Much love to Brendan on his new adventure whatever and if ever it is. Fly on, Peter Pan boy child.
I respected Brendan so much as a skater he gave me the best compliment of my entire life. I did a big 360 flip in cole parkway in Scituate and landed it like I knew what I was doing (like that for the first time) and he gave me a huge cheer (‘Holy shit Big Pete!’).
Lovely guy from what I remember and a skater well before his time.
We laid down plywood halfway up the hill for his funbox clearing jump which would be insane to see again.
When he ever rode off the stacked piers in cole parkway to drop (it must have been ~20′ but I dont remember and we were young) My 18 year old knees shrieked in agony at the sound of his successful landing. Brendan was a pioneer and the king of the one footer.
Non skateboarders have NO IDEA how hard a one footer is, never mind doing a 360 ect during. My thoughts are to his family and people that were close. Ride on.
God he was such a bright funny guy. I thought he was indestructible. Powerful stylish skater. I’m so sad to hear he passed. My condolences to his mom. This is heartbreaking. Gonna hug my kids tonight real close.
Brendan, always a gentleman even when things were awkward or rude around him. Went to high school with him. Went to a couple concerts with him too. The first time I saw him, he was on his skateboard. He had such an ability that it looked like the board was actually a part of him. He pulled some bad ass tricks and made them look so easy that I wanted to try them and failed and bailed. Too much talent and kindness to go out too early. You will be missed.
I remember Brendan riding around our little town on his skateboard and dressed in all his ‘skate gear’ roaming the halls of CHS…
My thoughts are with you Bridget and the Leung Family.
He was a few years younger than us, just a grom, maybe 12 or 13. Just a little ball of power hucking early grab slob airs and spinning out of a 3ft garage ramp – Brett and Jeremy’s ramp in Hingham, MA. I swear he stuck a 540 by accident that night. Radical ripper. Sad to hear this news, glad to read the stories.
We had a little group of guys that rode bikes and skated when we were growing up, and he was the most talented one in the bunch. Watching him progress was amazing and painful, because he was balls out always. I don’t think his little body felt pain, because he always got up after a slam. I’ve never seen someone so small break as many boards as he did. We partied like rock stars
back then and he always had fun. We all knew he would go pro, his talent was undeniable. I remember the little ramp in his garage and his parents awesome stereo blaring. During endless sessions. His love for life and willingness to try anything, and his huge smile. Just a great kid. You will be missed by many. I’m so sorry for your loss Bridget and your parents. Nothing but love for you kid, thanks for the wild memories. Rest in peace my friend.
My deepest condolences to Brendan’s family, what a bright spark has gone out. There are few people who have made me feel so joyfully received, and so awe-inspired by their talent and passion. Brendan’s hugs would squeeze me to the point of feeling like my rib cage would give in, and his laughter and positivity will warm my heart as long as I live. Watching him skate was like seeing a Secret Olympic event… often times a spontaneous event of magnanimous entertainment, danger, and badassery. The moment Brendan decided to do something, ANYthing, he was fully and completely committed, and no amount of pain he took on slowed him down. That will inspire me forever. Thank you for being a part of my life, Brendan. Love you to the moon.
My sweetheart Brendan…..Got to spend the last 20 months with him. We spent a lot of time being homebodies, watching lots of British comedy, Planet Earth and endless Master Chef. The part that not many people might have known about Brendan…extremely intelligent, hard working Trader Joe’s employee, quiet and nerdy like me. We collected obscure words, snuggled the cats and each other. We were such a great team. He has gone out of my life much too soon, however he has changed me forever and I will never forget him!
rip from amsterdam
skater4ever