“Scientists are still learning why people say they feel increased amounts of unity, reverence, and happiness in the water, Nichols told me. But if you look at the scientific recipe for flow states—the psychological term for when people are fully and pleasantly absorbed in what they’re doing—being in water checks a lot of the boxes.” The Atlantic’s Jaimal Yogis wonders if surfing is more sport or religion. (I’ve never been able to get up on a board and ride a wave, but in my mind, I’m a surfer.)

+ If water sports are a religion, then this guy must be either Moses or Jesus: Solving A Rubix Cube While Water Skiing.

+ If surfing is religion, then having Michael Phelps race a CGI shark is heresy. (If it had been a real shark racing Ryan Lochte, well now that would be entertainment.)