[2][3] After he was discharged, Brown returned to California and enrolled in Long Beach City College but dropped out to work as a lifeguard.

[4] Considered among the most influential in the genre, The Endless Summer follows surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August around the world.

[5] He also made a number of short films including The Wet Set, featuring the Hobie-MacGregor Sportswear Surf Team and one of the earliest skateboarding films, America's Newest Sport, presenting the Hobie Super Surfer Skateboard Team.

[6][7] After the death of Brown's wife and filmmaking partner Patricia in 2006, he went into a depression, unable to leave his home.

Due to Covid restrictions, the film was shown at a makeshift drive-in theater at a local mall.