--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To catch a wave, to stand up - it was…" description: "\"To catch a wave, to stand up - it was just life-changing. There was nothing that even came close. I quit playing all other sports - by the time I was e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/rob-machado-34016_by-the-time_to-catch-a-wave-to-stand-up-it-was-just_1742749.jpg" --- # To catch a wave, to stand up - it was just life-changing… ![“To catch a wave, to stand up - it was just life-changing. There was nothing that even came close. I quit playing all other sports - by the time I was eleven, they were toast.” quote by Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/rob-machado-34016_by-the-time_to-catch-a-wave-to-stand-up-it-was-just_1742749.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/rob-machado-34016_by-the-time_to-catch-a-wave-to-stand-up-it-was-just_1742749.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/rob-machado-34016_by-the-time_to-catch-a-wave-to-stand-up-it-was-just_1742749.jpg) > “To catch a wave, to stand up - it was just life-changing. There was nothing that even came close. I quit playing all other sports - by the time I was eleven, they were toast.” [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Surfing became his defining passion, eclipsing all other sports and shaping his identity from a young age. **In simple terms:** Surfing changed his life; other sports faded. Key Takeaway Pursue what truly excites you. Themes passion identity choice dedication Mood enthusiastic reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - sports - career decisions Key Concepts life‑changing experience career focus personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What activity makes you feel alive? - How do you balance passion with practicality? A Different Perspective Surfing may limit other opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-changing/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Toasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toasts/) ## Related quotes > [I quit playing sports when I realized, you can just buy trophies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-quit-playing-sports-when-i-realized-you-can-just-buy-trophies/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't really grow up until you quit playing sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-linklater/you-don-t-really-grow-up-until-you-quit-playing-sports/) [Richard Linklater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-linklater/) > [I played competitive golf all my life. Then all of a sudden, when I quit playing the game, I've got all this spare time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-played-competitive-golf-all-my-life-then-all-of-a-sudden-when-i/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [You know why I quit playing ballads? Cause I love playing ballads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/you-know-why-i-quit-playing-ballads-cause-i-love-playing-ballads/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [You'd be surprised how cold you get in the water, especially surfing a place like Pipeline. If the tradewinds are blowing, it gets chilly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/you-d-be-surprised-how-cold-you-get-in-the-water-especially-surfing-a/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [“That's the exciting part about capitalism. It's like surfing, you have to catch the wave. - Martin Peter (aka Vermin Gobsmack)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-delano/that-s-the-exciting-part-about-capitalism-it-s-like-surfing-you-have/) [Jamie Delano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-delano/) > [Well, maybe surf one time; I think it would be fun to catch a wave just once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-gayle/well-maybe-surf-one-time-i-think-it-would-be-fun-to-catch-a-wave-just/) [Crystal Gayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-gayle/) > [If you can't catch a wave, you're never gonna ride it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-can-t-catch-a-wave-you-re-never-gonna-ride-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Catch a wave and your sitting on top of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-beach-boys/catch-a-wave-and-your-sitting-on-top-of-the-world/) [The Beach Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-beach-boys/) > [Surfing is very special and unique. It's really hard to explain unless you've tried it. It's being out in the ocean in the sun,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethany-hamilton/surfing-is-very-special-and-unique-it-s-really-hard-to-explain-unless/) [Bethany Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethany-hamilton/) > [Surfing is like golf: You're always battling, and it keeps knocking you down. There are a lot of wipeouts. But when you stay with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-quaid/surfing-is-like-golf-you-re-always-battling-and-it-keeps-knocking-you/) [Dennis Quaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-quaid/) > [Inventing is a lot like surfing: you have to anticipate and catch the wave at just the right moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/inventing-is-a-lot-like-surfing-you-have-to-anticipate-and-catch-the/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [“For those of you who are able to prepare and catch up with the wave will benefit massively. But for those who fall behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/think-maverick/for-those-of-you-who-are-able-to-prepare-and-catch-up-with-the-wave/) Think Maverick > [“Sometimes you catch the wave. Sometimes the wave catches you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/sometimes-you-catch-the-wave-sometimes-the-wave-catches-you/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [I will catch a wave every day, even in my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-tomson/i-will-catch-a-wave-every-day-even-in-my-mind/) [Shaun Tomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-tomson/) ## More by Rob Machado > [We dream of the perfect wave, the perfect job, the perfect house. When we get there, we dream of something else,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/we-dream-of-the-perfect-wave-the-perfect-job-the-perfect-house-when/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [You'd be surprised how cold you get in the water, especially surfing a place like Pipeline. If the tradewinds are blowing, it gets chilly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/you-d-be-surprised-how-cold-you-get-in-the-water-especially-surfing-a/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [Truthfully, I despise hotels. I've had such better experiences staying at people's houses and guesthouses; it's so much more comfortable and homey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/truthfully-i-despise-hotels-i-ve-had-such-better-experiences-staying/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [One meal I'm constantly reminded about is when I ate kangaroo tail in the desert in Australia; it wasn't necessarily my favorite, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/one-meal-i-m-constantly-reminded-about-is-when-i-ate-kangaroo-tail-in/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [I've been very lucky, getting to travel the world with professional photographers. I'd grab their equipment, get a few lessons, and start firing shots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/i-ve-been-very-lucky-getting-to-travel-the-world-with-professional/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [Nothing could happen to me in the water that would make me want to go on the beach and fight someone. That's just not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/nothing-could-happen-to-me-in-the-water-that-would-make-me-want-to-go/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [We dream of the perfect wave, the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect love, and when we get there, we dream of something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/we-dream-of-the-perfect-wave-the-perfect-job-the-perfect-house-the/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [The surfing - the waves in Indonesia are amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/the-surfing-the-waves-in-indonesia-are-amazing/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [At any given time, there are a lot of million-dollar luxury charter boats cruising around the Mentawai Islands finding the most incredible waves. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/at-any-given-time-there-are-a-lot-of-million-dollar-luxury-charter/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [I think I'm one of the most fortunate people in the world. I travel around looking for the best waves and appreciate it every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/i-think-i-m-one-of-the-most-fortunate-people-in-the-world-i-travel/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [I've never actually even contemplated writing a book or having a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/i-ve-never-actually-even-contemplated-writing-a-book-or-having-a-book/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [I've always been a big supporter of the Surfrider Foundation. I started my own foundation, Rob Machado Foundation, which focuses on environmental education for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/i-ve-always-been-a-big-supporter-of-the-surfrider-foundation-i/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) > [The best meal I've had was in Tavarua, an island in Fiji. It was just before sunset. A bunch of guys had just caught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-machado/the-best-meal-i-ve-had-was-in-tavarua-an-island-in-fiji-it-was-just/) [Rob Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) [Explore all 14 Rob Machado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-machado/) ## More By the time quotes > [President Obama has never summarized the Obama Doctrine with such clarity, but here is what it would look like: 'I will undertake any military…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/president-obama-has-never-summarized-the-obama-doctrine-with-such/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [I love the little garden in the back of my family's brownstone in Brooklyn. Digging out there in the dirt is a joy for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siri-hustvedt/i-love-the-little-garden-in-the-back-of-my-family-s-brownstone-in/) [Siri Hustvedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siri-hustvedt/) > [A supermodel is kind of that first-name recognition, but I'm not quite ready for that super part yet, and I'm afraid that by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-teigen/a-supermodel-is-kind-of-that-first-name-recognition-but-i-m-not-quite/) [Christine Teigen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-teigen/) > [I have little children, 5 1/2 and 1 1/2, and I thought I should document my life, because by the time they're in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-mottola/i-have-little-children-5-1-2-and-1-1-2-and-i-thought-i-should/) [Tommy Mottola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-mottola/) > [By the time I became chairman and there was more of a feeling of urgency, there was a willingness to accept more forceful measures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-a-volcker/by-the-time-i-became-chairman-and-there-was-more-of-a-feeling-of/) Paul A. 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Life gets tiring,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-furlong/by-the-time-i-m-old-i-m-sure-i-ll-have-lived-a-full-enough-life-i/) [Edward Furlong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-furlong/) > [By the time you are in your thirties, most of the time, you've got a job, you can pay for your rent, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-aselton/by-the-time-you-are-in-your-thirties-most-of-the-time-you-ve-got-a/) [Katie Aselton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-aselton/) > [You write a book, and after 50 pages you think it's about one thing, and then you write another hundred and you realize it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/you-write-a-book-and-after-50-pages-you-think-it-s-about-one-thing/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [By the time I was 29 I'd spent eight years with someone else's group of friends. I had no idea what it was like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hunter/by-the-time-i-was-29-i-d-spent-eight-years-with-someone-else-s-group/) [Rachel Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hunter/) > [By the time my first solo record came out, I was making a handsome living as a record producer. I had worked with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-rundgren/by-the-time-my-first-solo-record-came-out-i-was-making-a-handsome/) [Todd Rundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-rundgren/) > [By the time of my ninth birthday, I had become a bit of a socialist, as I am said by conservative colleagues to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/by-the-time-of-my-ninth-birthday-i-had-become-a-bit-of-a-socialist-as/) [Sherwin B. 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My wife and I just didn't think we would be good parents, and also by the time we got married…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ford/i-don-t-hate-children-my-wife-and-i-just-didn-t-think-we-would-be/) [Richard Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ford/) Browse all 234 By the time quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To catch a wave, to stand up - it was just life-changing. There was nothing that even came close. 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