Continuity mistake: After Pappas is shot by Roach he gets a big bloodstain on his back. When he is lying on the floor the stain becomes smaller.
Continuity mistake: While the surfers are making the star in the air, the four guys are holding each other, but in the next shots they are loose.
Revealing mistake: When Angelo is shot in the back at the airport, you can see a pack underneath his shirt when he is rolled over by Utah. (01:39:44)
Continuity mistake: When Grommet dies, at first there's lots of blood on his face, but then there's all of a sudden a lot less.
Continuity mistake: The first time Patrick Swayze is seen surfing, his surfing stance changes between shots from natural to goofy.
Other mistake: Pappas sends Utah for sandwiches during the stakeout ("Utah, get me 2" scene). Utah places the order, and in roughly ten seconds, his sandwiches are made, wrapped, bagged, and ready to go along with two lemonades.
Factual error: In the intro shots to "Bells Beach" Utah is arriving in an ancient Series 1 Land Rover for some reason and all the "Australian" cars in 1992 are now long forgotten 1950's and 1960's cars. Also the term "Drug Store" is on a sign, that a pure Americanism.
Answer: He is listening to music and just getting getting really into it.
Toolio