The Endless Summer (1966)

Could there possibly be a rival for our top spot? Young West Coast surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August travel the globe in pursuit of the ideal wave in Bruce Brown's legendary surf documentary. They also discover it on a previously undiscovered break off Cape St. Francis in South Africa, which is today one of the most well-known surfing locations in the world. Although not necessarily ultra-PC by today's standards, Brown's commentary is lighthearted and humorous, and his video expertly portrays the excitement, camaraderie, and pure joy of the sport. We might not have the time or resources to travel the world for an unending summer, but thanks to Brown's movie (and the Sandals' incredibly catchy theme song), we can stop by whenever we choose.

American surf documentary The Endless Summer was created, edited, and narrated by Bruce Brown in 1966. The movie follows surfers Robert August and Mike Hynson as they travel the world surfing. Although they are native to California, which has a warm Mediterranean climate, chilly ocean currents make the area's beaches uninhabitable in the winter without later, contemporary wetsuits. In search of new surf places, they visit the coastlines of Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Senegal (Dakar), Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa while also educating locals to the sport.