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.
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