The surfer theory is a slightly adapted phrase from (probably) a Terry Pratchett book. It isn't all mine, at least. It is as follows:

"The best surfer in the world was probably born in a desert, and so never had a chance to learn how to surf."

It is not a happy theory, it seems to point to the hopelessness of life. Simple circumstance has meant that the greatest surfer in the whole world could never learn to surf. They were fated to have greatness in them, but also, perhaps, fated never to reach it.

The surfer theory can lead to the question: can you been brilliant at something that you have never tried? But I don't want to argue about this.

The surfer theory refers to lost opportunities and the need to be in the right place at the right time. It is about the road not taken and how a single moment can change your life forever. It is a sad theory, one which should make you realize how different our lives could have been.

An alternative is the soul mate theory, but that hits harder and is much more obvious in its depressive nature.

"Your soul mate is on the other side of the world; you will never meet them."