I consider all ocean activities involving surf to be recreation, meaning it’s more fun/pleasurable to do it than not. Running, on the other hand, is discipline. Yet both are exercise.
Over the past month in Honolulu, I spent most of my days in the waves. I loved every second of it. The few runs I did were hot, painful and hellish — but I needed them badly.
By the end of the month, though, I felt more out of shape because I didn’t run as much and chose the surf instead. Yet the surf help my attitude improve.
My conclusion: proportionally balance exercise with recreation and discipline activities.