Everybody knows the perfect surfing experience is made up of surf, sand, and sun. Hard-core surfers  like to have these elements wherever they go. After all, for these true-blue surfers, surfing is more than a mere sport or hobby. It’s a lifestyle. And every lifestyle has a sound all its own.

The type of music surfers listen to is steeped with beats and undertones that remind surfers of the stoke.  Surf music boasts its own share of icons. There’s Dick Dale, the Bel Airs, the Surfaris, among others. While these guys will always be up there in the world of surf music, new players, names, and faces have emerged in the surf-music scene. With the times getting more modern, there’s bound to be a few changes in this music genre. For most surfers, these five musicians are on the playlist (in no particular order). I think it’s because the musicians are surfers themselves so their love of the wave comes through in their tunes.

1. Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson is one of the more popular examples of those who made a successful transition from surfer to singer-songwriter. Some of Johnson’s well-known hits are “Flake,” “Upside Down,” and the ever-famous Better Together.

2. Tom Curren

Three-time world champion Tom Curren has been playing various musical instruments since he was fifteen. No wonder he wrote “Light Becomes a Fire” and “Ocean Wide.” And oh, he’s buddies with Jack Johnson too.

3. Foster the People

Foster the People is an indie-pop trio that caught the world by storm with their hit Pumped Up Kicks.  Surfers have been infected by their catchy beats.

4. Matt Costa

The world owes Tom Dumont of No Doubt a huge favor for taking a chance on Matt Costa, a singer-songwriter from California. Another friend of Jack Johson, having toured with him several times,  Costa’s single “Mr. Pitiful” has played in various movies.  Listen to samples of his tunes.

5. OneRepublic

One Republic is a pop-rock band that achieved massive fame and success with their hits Apologize and Stop And Stare. The band defines their music as having a “varied style.” With this form in mind, no wonder their songs were able to reach—and move—people from all walks of life, surfers and nonsurfers.