Listen to Johanne Defay’s training playlist
- Text by Josh Jones
- Photography by Johanne Defay
The Rhythm of the Ocean — The surf star from Réunion Island checks in to share some of her favourite music, and explains how tunes help to keep her motivated.
French surfer Johanne Defay is a medal winning Olympian, who lives and surfs on Réunion Island, just west of Madagascar. For the past 12 years she has been storming tournaments, travelling the world to compete on the pro circuit. We asked her how music inspires her training régime.
What kind of music do you like to listen to most when you’re training?
I think I mostly listen to pop music, then reggae, then French songs, then calming songs or old school music. I like a bit of everything!
How important is music to you for training?
Music is a help to get happy and motivated when you are not feeling it! It can really help when you have to be training every day.
Do you prefer to shut the world out with headphones when you’re preparing for a competition or blast music out loud?
I like to shut things out and use my headphones, yes :)
Which surfer on the pro circuit is the best DJ?
Hmmm… Probably Gabriel Medina, who plays great Brazilian music…
What song is perfect to soundtrack you catching the perfect wave?
That’s a very hard question to answer! It really depends on the conditions, the rhythm of the wave, as well as the type of surfing you’re creating on it. Also what feelings you have while you’re doing it – are you scared, are you just chilling or are you excited?!
Follow Johanne on Instagram.
Josh Jones is Huck’s editor. Follow him on Instagram.
Buy your copy of Huck 82 here.
Enjoyed this article? Follow Huck on Instagram and sign up to our newsletter for more from the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture.
Support stories like this by becoming a member of Club Huck.
You might like
“Like skating an amphitheatre”: 50 years of the South Bank skatepark, in photos
Skate 50 — A new exhibition celebrates half a century of British skateboarding’s spiritual centre. Noah Petersons traces the Undercroft’s history and enduring presence as one of the world’s most iconic spots.
Written by: Noah Petersons
On Marrakech’s outskirts, a skatepark reimagines possibility for local youth
Tameslouht — Built on the grounds of the Fiers et Forts orphanage, a new spot is providing space for connection and purpose, while incubating top-class talent. Ellie Howard reports from its banks.
Written by: Ellie Howard
In photos: Columbia Hike Society turned a laundrette into a gear hub
Dirtbags — It kicked off the initiative’s latest season, which will feature 30 guided treks across the UK in 2026, with cleaning and repair stations, and upgrades to well-worn tech.
Written by: Noah Petersons
Eating concrete with London Skate Mums
Parental steeze — Founded during the pandemic, the group has ballooned into a community, giving mothers of various ages and abilities space to pull tricks, fall and express themselves. Sydney Lobe meets them at the legendary Southbank Undercroft.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
New film champions women surfers tackling the huge waves of Nazaré
Undercurrents — Filmmaker Maddie Meddings’ latest documentary focuses on big-wave superstar Laura Crane as she helps prepare 16-year-old Imari Hearn to take up big wave surfing.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
Cold camping in Svalbard, at the edge of the world
Longyearbyen — The Norwegian archipelago is just 800 miles from the North Pole, where temperatures languish far below freezing, but it’s also one of the world’s fastest warming areas. Steph Pomphrey sleeps on the ice with Db to find out more.
Written by: Steph Pomphrey
