--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wanted to be the first to ride a…" description: "\"I wanted to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave.\" — Garrett McNamara" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg" --- # I wanted to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave. ![“I wanted to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave.” quote by Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg) > “I wanted to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave.” [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker desires to be the first to ride a massive 100‑foot wave, seeking a pioneering thrill. **In simple terms:** Seeking pioneering thrill on a massive wave. Key Takeaway Pursue bold, measured challenges. Themes adventure risk pioneering achievement Mood excited determined Type motivational adventure When to use this quote - surfing competitions - record attempts - personal goals Key Concepts extreme sports personal ambition Questions to Reflect On - What safety measures are essential? - How to handle fear? A Different Perspective Extreme risk can be dangerous. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The pursuit has just been to find the 100-foot wave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/the-pursuit-has-just-been-to-find-the-100-foot-wave/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [When I said something about the ferris whell I was hinting I wanted to ride. Thinking that was gonna be the moment you finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-faye-me/when-i-said-something-about-the-ferris-whell-i-was-hinting-i-wanted/) [Gina Faye (me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-faye-me/) > [There's a risk to everything you do. You can take off on a one-foot wave and get hurt; you can take off on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-john-florence/there-s-a-risk-to-everything-you-do-you-can-take-off-on-a-one-foot/) [John John Florence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-john-florence/) > [If you desire to dig a well to reach water, your efforts are more fruitful if you dig one 100-foot-deep hole than if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/if-you-desire-to-dig-a-well-to-reach-water-your-efforts-are-more/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [It's a real honour to be the first comedian to play the O2 which will be the single biggest gig of my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-evans/it-s-a-real-honour-to-be-the-first-comedian-to-play-the-o2-which-will/) [Lee Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-evans/) > [India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and South Korea are heavily investing in nuclear arms. Since 21st century is the century of Asia, Asian countries should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/india-pakistan-china-singapore-and-south-korea-are-heavily-investing/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [I would sacrifice 1,000 yards rushing to win a Super Bowl. But I want to be the first back to have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-peterson/i-would-sacrifice-1-000-yards-rushing-to-win-a-super-bowl-but-i-want/) [Adrian Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-peterson/) > [You can be anything. You could be the President of the United States or the inventor of the next Internet or a ninja cardio-thoracic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-russell/you-can-be-anything-you-could-be-the-president-of-the-united-states/) [Cameron Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-russell/) > [Hublot has always been happy to be different, unique and they want to be the first to do things - and they certainly have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-clarke/hublot-has-always-been-happy-to-be-different-unique-and-they-want-to/) [Michael Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-clarke/) > [My mother had a saying: 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you're not the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/my-mother-had-a-saying-kamala-you-may-be-the-first-to-do-many-things/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Of course, I want to be the first pick. That's every kids' dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-burrow/of-course-i-want-to-be-the-first-pick-that-s-every-kids-dream/) [Joe Burrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-burrow/) > [I'll be the first to say our military should always be fully funded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-boebert/i-ll-be-the-first-to-say-our-military-should-always-be-fully-funded/) [Lauren Boebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-boebert/) > [As a big, you don't want to be the first one to shoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevon-looney/as-a-big-you-don-t-want-to-be-the-first-one-to-shoot/) [Kevon Looney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevon-looney/) > [I wanna be myself and be the first Jason Jordan. I don't wanna be the second Kurt Angle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-jordan/i-wanna-be-myself-and-be-the-first-jason-jordan-i-don-t-wanna-be-the/) [Jason Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-jordan/) > [I thought I'd be the first to introduce herbal tea to Patna. White tea, ginger tea, rooibos, camomile. No one touched it. On subsequent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitava-kumar/i-thought-i-d-be-the-first-to-introduce-herbal-tea-to-patna-white-tea/) [Amitava Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitava-kumar/) ## More by Garrett McNamara > [I used to not care if I died, but once I married and had children and became part of a big surfing community, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-used-to-not-care-if-i-died-but-once-i-married-and-had-children-and/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I don't wanna say I'm growing up, but I definitely feel content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-don-t-wanna-say-i-m-growing-up-but-i-definitely-feel-content/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I broke ribs three different times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-broke-ribs-three-different-times/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [The surfers' code is that you surf your wave and let the world discuss it as you move on to the next one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/the-surfers-code-is-that-you-surf-your-wave-and-let-the-world-discuss/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [Fear is when we're thinking about the past or thinking about the future, two things that do not exist. If we stay in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/fear-is-when-we-re-thinking-about-the-past-or-thinking-about-the/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I love being underwater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-love-being-underwater/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I lose my mind if I miss a swell that I want to be on and I have the ability to be on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-lose-my-mind-if-i-miss-a-swell-that-i-want-to-be-on-and-i-have-the/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [The ocean is my church and my playground, and it's where I love to be. It's where I belong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/the-ocean-is-my-church-and-my-playground-and-it-s-where-i-love-to-be/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [There's giant waves in numerous occasions around the world, it's a matter of the wind being offshore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/there-s-giant-waves-in-numerous-occasions-around-the-world-it-s-a/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [The first time I tried surfing, we went out in front of Cement City and I just remember falling in love. It just instantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/the-first-time-i-tried-surfing-we-went-out-in-front-of-cement-city/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I have two settings: full speed and stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-have-two-settings-full-speed-and-stop/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I lived for big waves. It's where I felt comfortable and I could surf with ease. With smaller waves, it didn't feel as natural.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-lived-for-big-waves-it-s-where-i-felt-comfortable-and-i-could-surf/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [It never happens in Europe, and I'm not sure how often it happens here in Australia, but in Hawaii and all over the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/it-never-happens-in-europe-and-i-m-not-sure-how-often-it-happens-here/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [Usually, I lead with my heart and feel my way through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/usually-i-lead-with-my-heart-and-feel-my-way-through/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) > [I had gotten too comfortable. I was desensitized whenever I got in the water. I started riding big waves for that rush, but now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-had-gotten-too-comfortable-i-was-desensitized-whenever-i-got-in-the/) [Garrett McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) [Explore all 99 Garrett McNamara quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/) ## More Be the first quotes > [I thought I'd be the first to introduce herbal tea to Patna. White tea, ginger tea, rooibos, camomile. No one touched it. On subsequent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitava-kumar/i-thought-i-d-be-the-first-to-introduce-herbal-tea-to-patna-white-tea/) [Amitava Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitava-kumar/) > [I wanna be myself and be the first Jason Jordan. I don't wanna be the second Kurt Angle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-jordan/i-wanna-be-myself-and-be-the-first-jason-jordan-i-don-t-wanna-be-the/) [Jason Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-jordan/) > [As a big, you don't want to be the first one to shoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevon-looney/as-a-big-you-don-t-want-to-be-the-first-one-to-shoot/) [Kevon Looney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevon-looney/) > [I'll be the first to say our military should always be fully funded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-boebert/i-ll-be-the-first-to-say-our-military-should-always-be-fully-funded/) [Lauren Boebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-boebert/) > [Of course, I want to be the first pick. That's every kids' dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-burrow/of-course-i-want-to-be-the-first-pick-that-s-every-kids-dream/) [Joe Burrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-burrow/) > [My mother had a saying: 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you're not the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/my-mother-had-a-saying-kamala-you-may-be-the-first-to-do-many-things/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Hublot has always been happy to be different, unique and they want to be the first to do things - and they certainly have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-clarke/hublot-has-always-been-happy-to-be-different-unique-and-they-want-to/) [Michael Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-clarke/) > [You can be anything. You could be the President of the United States or the inventor of the next Internet or a ninja cardio-thoracic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-russell/you-can-be-anything-you-could-be-the-president-of-the-united-states/) [Cameron Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-russell/) > [I would sacrifice 1,000 yards rushing to win a Super Bowl. But I want to be the first back to have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-peterson/i-would-sacrifice-1-000-yards-rushing-to-win-a-super-bowl-but-i-want/) [Adrian Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-peterson/) > [India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and South Korea are heavily investing in nuclear arms. Since 21st century is the century of Asia, Asian countries should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/india-pakistan-china-singapore-and-south-korea-are-heavily-investing/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [It's a real honour to be the first comedian to play the O2 which will be the single biggest gig of my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-evans/it-s-a-real-honour-to-be-the-first-comedian-to-play-the-o2-which-will/) [Lee Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-evans/) > [To be the first to do something is huge - all eyes are on you. You just don't know how people are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-lindsay/to-be-the-first-to-do-something-is-huge-all-eyes-are-on-you-you-just/) [Rachel Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-lindsay/) > [To be the first player in the world to take part in three successive World Cup finals is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cafu/to-be-the-first-player-in-the-world-to-take-part-in-three-successive/) [Cafu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cafu/) > [But, no, I don't think there will be any kind of problem as far as setting up to be competitive, but you've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wheldon/but-no-i-don-t-think-there-will-be-any-kind-of-problem-as-far-as/) [Dan Wheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wheldon/) > [To be the first Puerto Rican to win a world title in four divisions would be an achievement. Gomez, Benitez, there have been a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cotto/to-be-the-first-puerto-rican-to-win-a-world-title-in-four-divisions/) [Miguel Cotto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cotto/) Browse all 191 Be the first quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wanted to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Garrett McNamara" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-foot-wave/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be the first" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-foot-wave/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/garrett-mcnamara-6371_be-the-first_i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-f_2705100.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I wanted to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave.” — Garrett McNamara", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Garrett McNamara", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-mcnamara/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I wanted to be the first...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-foot-wave/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-mcnamara/i-wanted-to-be-the-first-to-ride-a-100-foot-wave/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```