On Style

When Phil Grenz arrived at Newport Point in 1977 pursuant to an all-night rager, he found himself trunkless, boardless, and bien crudo. But he liked what he saw. Borrowing a suitable shooter, he paddled out on the Levi Strauss shrink-to-fit tip. Quickly snaring this set wave, he low-lined his way into the hall of fame. 

Photographer Arthur Jennings Brewer was on hand, of course. Brewer always operated as a magnet for such stylish cultural iron shavings. In a way, no other lensman could have made this photograph.

The man known as Uncle Artie, Man Mountain Brewer, and Big Big Boss was attuned to moments of surf form like no one before or since. Akin to Chinatown or a wildflower superbloom, his work bears up to perennial viewings.

[Photo by Art Brewer]