Surf music – music for surfers

Surf music or surfer music– music for surfers – means something different to every surfer, but it’s all about feeling close to the waves and the roar of the ocean. It’s also about taking yourself back to where your “salty” soul feels most at home. The Wind in your hair, salt on your skin and the last rays of the evening sun kissing the back of your neck – plus the right surf soundtrack. Surf music is all about songs that relax you, that remind you of the dunes, the beach or a pine forest, of an awesome time with your best friends and other surfers in the line-up.

Surf music can be chilled, but it can also fire you up and motivate you.

It can also be rock or pop sounds that send your pulse racing and get you ready for your next surf session. Adrenaline pumps through your veins, big freak sets and huge waves come rolling towards you, or you remember the washing machine after a hard wipeout. Surf music can put you in a good mood and maybe remind you of Fuerteventura and FreshSurf. Here we’ll introduce you to our favourite surf music, bit by bit. We’ll present artists, post playlists or songs and send our FreshSurf playlist home with you into everyday life.

The origins and rise of surf music

Surf music developed in California in the early 1960s from the roots of 1950s instrumental rock’n’roll. As surfing gained popularity and enthusiasm as a sport, a new music genre was born too. Surf music splits into two styles – on the one hand with a focus on the instrumental, the feeling of the energy of the waves. Instrumental surf music is characterised by its distinctive guitar hooks and driving drums. Dick Dale is probably the name that comes to mind when you think of this kind of surf music. He called himself the “surf guitarist”.

On the other hand, there’s surf music where the vocals and lyrics take centre stage. This style includes bands like The Beach Boys or Jan and Dean, who sing about days full of surf sessions and wild nights in the surf scene.

Kids and teenagers started making surf music – no matter where they came from or whether they surfed themselves. Classic tracks like “Wipeout” and “Let’s Go Trippin'” have stood for the soul of surfing ever since. The youth-driven surfer music movement kept drifting into a grey zone when songs were about sex and party nights, and so they got banned from the radio.

The Beach Boys, more than any other band, proved themselves as a band all about harmony, good vibes and positive energy. Society loved the images of big boards, laughter and surfer girls in bikinis.

Surf music today

Today surf music is everywhere. You come across it in bars, on road trips and around the campfire with a guitar. Artists like Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter, Xavier Rudd and the Sean Koch Trio are known worldwide. True to the motto “Good Times Keep Rolling”, surf bands give you sun, sea and the free feeling of riding awave.

And that’s exactly why surfing and music go so well hand in hand. You associate certain emotions with every kind of music – whether it’s joy, holidays or a melancholy moment doesn’t matter. You’re always surrounded by music, so whenever you feel like it, you can put the feeling of surfing, waves and sea air into your ears. Just think back to the last songs you listened to in the surf van on the way to the surf spot – a wonderful feeling.

We share waves – we share our surf music

Our FreshSurf playlist on Spotify

By now there are of course loads of playlists whose vibes take you straight back to your surf holiday or road trip. Because there are so many great artists making surf music – or simply music that makes you happy – we’ve put together a FreshSurf playlist on Spotify for you. There you’ll findsome favourite songs from our guests, our team and the surf coaches that simply have to be part of your next surf trip.

Surf music on Fuerteventura

Surf music is essential on our island of Fuerteventura too. For locals as well as for the tourists who come here to surf, there are events every year that are perfect for a cold drink with live music after your surf session. El Cotillo comes alive when the huge open-air stage for Fuerte en Música is set up. Together with the Canarian fishermen, we also celebrate the Fiesta del Buen Viaje in Cotillo’s harbour every year. Following an old tradition, fresh fish is caught and eaten, and then everyone celebrates and dances together.

Seventura – the sound of Fuerteventura

With their music, the band Seventura set out to make theisland feeling audible. And they’ve succeeded! Between world music, soul and R’n’B you dive into the karma of the island of Fuerteventura – the energy of the waves, the impressive mountain landscape and the endless white sandy beaches. Watch Seventura’s latest music video “Say It Out Loud” here.

Surf festivals – when and where?

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? Sun, sea, holidays, surfing aaaand? Festival season. The sun is shining on your face and you’re having a great time surrounded by surfers, music and your friends. Because surf festivals are simply the best thing in the world, it’s definitely worth going to a few of them. In Germany there’s the alternative Zuparken Festival, in Cornwall you’ll find the Boardmasters music festival, and the Surf & Skate Festival and the Pangea Festival are also highly recommended.