[obmelvin]

But how do you know what is your best? Some people (myself included) believe that you can push the human body and mind to do anything you want.

I'm aware this isn't quite true, but in a large sense I truly believe I'm capable of learning anything given enough interest. And probably time

[killjoywashere]

In surfing, there is essentially no mechanism to compete short of a formal competition, which is actually not that popular. There are small pockets where you can find competitions, but for the vast majority of surfers, there is simply nothing to do but your personal best on every wave. It is quite pleasant compared to other sports. Admittedly, also not as aerobically intensive, so fewer calories burned.

[nradov]

Sure but most people don't live near a surfable break. And even for those of us who do there just isn't enough space. Imagine the chaos if all the hard-core cyclists in Silicon Valley tried to go surfing in Santa Cruz every weekend.

[kelnos]

I think the point wasn't to suggest that everyone become surfers, just that people taking part in other activities might have something to learn from how surfers approach their activity.

[InclinedPlane]

The point is that competition in surfing is difficult to impose on the hobby, so it develops differently. But you can intentionally take the same approach to other "sports" and hobbies. Just have fun, push yourself when you want to, figure out what you can do, and enjoy it. That applies to running, swimming, bicycling, weight lifting, and so on as much as it does to surfing. Resist the temptation to make everything a contest (even, ugh, yoga), it doesn't have to be.

[nradov]

A little friendly competition is a great motivator in sports that can be easily quantified like running, swimming, bicycling, and weight lifting. For me it really helps in staying fit. When you see your friends posting their workout times and speeds on social media it gives some positive peer pressure to get off the couch. Most of us here have sedentary jobs that are literally killing us so we need to get moving for more than just enjoyment.

Of course, everything in moderation.

[InclinedPlane]

I would modify your word "friendly" to instead be "playful". Competition can be healthy, beneficial, and fun, but usually only when it's playful. Consider the difference between a couple kids playing baseball for their own amusement on the one hand and a bunch of stressed out, angry, yelling parents at a little league game. There are extremes to competition and often the point where you try to win at all costs is where things break down and the negatives have the potential to overwhelm the positives.

[kelnos]

I don't think that's actually the point. Don't fret so much about it; that's actually the problem. Just do your thing, and be happy without the need to push your limits so hard that you might break yourself. People often ignore the "healthy" bit from the phrase "a bit of healthy competition". And that includes competing with yourself.