Stylish Californian surfer, former member of the CT and ISA Junior World Champion in 1988, Chris Brown, passed away today at the age of 49, according to several of his friends and other specialized media in California.

The cause of his death has not yet been made public, Peter Towned and Keith Malloy published it in different posts on Facebook and Instagram respectively.

Brown competed on the world tour in the mid-to-late 80s and was part of the CT from '93-'95, was one of the stars of the Bud Tour (he was the 1994 US surfing champion), and is known as one of the few who stood up to Slater when his era began.

He surfed with a different style, with fluidity, grace and radicality.

After leaving the tour he surfed big waves in various places along the Californian coast, including some bombs at Mavericks. He also took up commercial fishing.

Brown was married and had a daughter.