What is the origin of the idiom "ride a wave of something" and when to use it?

The English idiom "ride a wave of something" has its origins in the world of surfing. In surfing, the goal is to catch a wave and ride it as it travels towards the shore. Surfers must position themselves correctly and time their movements precisely to catch the wave and stay on it for as long as possible. The metaphorical use of the phrase "ride a wave" emerged in the 1960s and 1970s to describe taking advantage of a trend or a period of success. The phrase suggests that, like a surfer catching a wave, someone can position themselves correctly and take advantage of a favorable circumstance to achieve their goals.