Bruce Brown, 80, Dies; His ‘Endless Summer’ Documented Surfing

"Endless Summer" is a classic. It's up there with "A Sunday in Hell" (paris-roubaix cycling race) and "On Any Sunday" (motorcycling) for quality mid-century documentary sport films.

More than document surfing, he documented a spirit and passion.

Do not watch the movie if you are feeling restless and have wanderlust. You will end up quiting your job and traveling the world.

Experimental guitarist Fennesz classic track Endless Summer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGcPwGqPHO0

> "With enough money from his filmmaking and investments, Mr. Brown did not work after making “The Endless Summer 2.” He pursued hobbies like target shooting, collecting old cars and racing rally cars."

Every time I watch that movie I want to retire and chase waves. It's an extraordinarily quaint piece of mid-century nostalgia.

I grew up near a beach town. I remember seeing Endless Summer when I was about 13/14. From that point forward, I loved the idea of finding a "new break" somewhere around my small stretch of A1A. This guy really poured some passion into it. Thanks Bruce.

The article mentioned how Brown rented out the Kip's Bay cinema in NY to try to get distribution. That is where I in fact saw it as a small boy with my sister and parents. I never surfed myself but relatives in California did and I always remembered the line about "the dirty Wedge" somewhere near LA. Fond memories... I'll have to see it again.

Just watched this with my wife a couple of weeks ago. Made me nostalgic for the state of the world 50 years ago (before I was born...)