You’ve seen them on webcasts, in photos and videos, pre-amping, bobbing their heads, psyching up and so on, but what exactly are the world’s best surfers listening to before they surf? Self-help tapes? The latest Miley Cyrus opus? Slayer’s X-mas album? Stuart Smalley’s "Good Enough, Smart Enough" Unplugged? With the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle just days away from starting, we caught up with some of the ASP Top 17 to see what gets them fired up to do battle.
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, current ASP Women’s World No. 2:
Top 5 Favorite Pre-Surf Songs:
- “Multiply” in minor key by Jamie Lidell.
- “A Distinctive Sound” by Gotye.
- Tracks 9 through 12 by Hotel Costes.
- “We Don’t Walk” by Paper Scissors.
- “This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed” by Mars Volta.
Worst Song to Get into Your Head Pre-Surf:
- Anything from Jessi’s playlist can go in this category.
Megan Abubo (HAW), 30, current ASP Women’s World No. 6:
Top 5 Favorite Pre-Surf Songs:
- All AC/DC because it goes way back in my head from my early days of competing.
- Anything Linkin Park (my favorite band). Such good lyrics and really angry too so you can get amped on your opponents.
- “Kids” by MGMT. Love the beat in this one.
- All songs by Yellwcard because it is super fast, amping music.
- Bloc Party stuff because they have good beats and lyrics.
Worst Song to Get into Your Head Pre-Surf:
- Honestly, it all depends on my mood.
Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, current ASP Women’s World No. 9:
Top 5 Favorite Pre-Surf Songs:
- “Faith” by George Michael. I like the film clip for this one – tight jeans, aviators and the bum wiggle. Need I say more?
- “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston. It makes me laugh and makes me start moving.
- “Hand on Your Heart” by Kylie Minogue. The song is epic.
- “Good Luck” by Basement Jaxx. This one gets me moving.
- “I Love Your Smile” by Shanice. It’s pretty.
Worst Song to Get into Your Head Pre-Surf:
- “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt. It used to be on the radio when I went to swim training when I was younger and it drove me absolutely mad.
Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21, current ASP Women’s World No. 11:
Top 5 Favorite Pre-Surf Songs:
- “Deceptacon” by Le Tigre. It’s fun and happy.
- “Domino” by Van Morrison. It reminds me of going on surf safaris with my family when I was younger. Good times.
- "When the Night Fills My Song" by Bedouin Soundclash. It makes me smile and reminds me of fun waves and South Africa.
- “Middle of the Hill” by Josh Pyke. It makes me clap and think of a story in my head while I wait for waves. Is that weird?
- “The Con” by Tegan and Sarah. I just really like this song.
Words Song to Get into Your Head Pre-Surf:
- Any song from the wipeout section of Taylor Steele’s videos. I don’t know why, but I always seem to come out of the water upset of bleeding if I have one of those songs in my head. Ever since I was a grommet, I’ve felt this way.