catch a wave
Start surfing successfully
To catch a wave is to position yourself on a surfboard as a wave swells, timing your paddle so the wave's momentum carries you forward.
The phrase extends to any opportune timing—riding a trend or seizing momentum: The company caught a wave of consumer interest in sustainability.
She caught a wave of popularity after her viral video.
Buoyant wave-riding plank
- paddleFlat-bladed water tool
- lineupOrdered list of participants
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
- wipeoutComplete, catastrophic failure
hang ten · duck dive · wetsuit · swell · breakers · crest · rip current · reef
Ocean's cyclical swell
- swellIncrease in size
- crestHighest point or tuft
- breakerWave that collapses shoreward
- whitecapFoam-topped ocean wave
undertow · current · saltwater · shoreline · sea · buoyancy · ripples · foam
Force driving movement forward
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- energyPower to do work
- forceStrength or compulsion
motion · speed · thrust · power · flow · current · glide · carry
Emergency response hormone
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- rushQuick sudden movement
- stokedExtremely enthusiastic, slang
- ampedSlang for thrilled
euphoria · heart-pounding · electrifying · daring · adventurous · joy · elation · invigorating
surfboard
Buoyant wave-riding plank
wipeout · hang ten · duck dive · wetsuit · swell · breakers · crest · rip current · reef · kook
tide
Ocean's cyclical swell
whitecap · undertow · current · saltwater · shoreline · sea · buoyancy · ripples · foam · spray
propulsion
Force driving movement forward
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- energyPower to do work
force · motion · speed · thrust · power · flow · current · glide · carry · push
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- rushQuick sudden movement
- stokedExtremely enthusiastic, slang
amped · euphoria · heart-pounding · electrifying · daring · adventurous · joy · elation · invigorating · freedom
- sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, smooth sailing, sink or swim, miss the boat