Phil Jarratt is having a resurrection of sorts. After steering Tracks through its 70's heyday Jarratt drifted from the surf media spotlight, his name rarely mentioned outside of Best of Tracks issues and other hazy reminisces. Jarratt the journo belonged to another time.

But then along came Quiksilver's historical tome, The Mountain and the Wave with Jarratt's name vertical on the spine. This was quickly followed by Kelly Slater's biography, For the Love, and another book, Salts and Suits, an historical account of the surfing industry. Along the way Jarratt scooped the Kelly Slater Rebel Tour story and began contributing to various mags, offering devilish wit and thirty years of surf industry experience. Phil Jarratt had waltzed his way back onstage.

Australia's Hottest 100 Surfing Legends is his latest offering and it's a long way from the meticulous research and storytelling of Salts and Suits. Here, Jarratt is playing historical raconteur, choosing 100 of his favourite Australian surfers, selected for various reasons: historical relevance, influence, competitive or business success, and giving two pages of characterisation to each.

Some are straight historical accounts, mostly the pre-1950's figures, while in others the irreverence flows. Matt Branson's entry begins: "As pro surfers go, Matt Branson was a bit of a plodder..." while Gary Green is chosen for staying on the beach during the '86 Billabong Pro at Waimea Bay. That single decision cast a shadow on Green's career and Jarratt likens it to an old joke involving a statesman who resented the fact he did many good things but was only remembered for bedding a pig. "Gary Green's pig was Waimea Bay on 9 December 1986."

It's not quite a reference book, the style is informal and the criteria subjective. Where was Maurice Cole? Terry Richardson? I had an angry email mentally penned before I read the introduction where Jarratt offered his apologia. The list is as subjective as the sport apparently. Still, I would've had Maurice in there...

Australia's Hottest 100 Surfing Legends is beautifully presented with archive photos and a sturdy hardcover binding. A classic coffee table book, lay it out when you want to impress friends or spark an argument.

Australia's Hottest 100 Surfing Legends is published by Hardie Grant and retails for $39.95

Live in Sydney? Got plans this Sunday? Come and have a beer with Phil and a few of the 'legends' from the book.