Paddling sidewise to wind waves, swell, or both. With a long section of cross beam waves you can choose to work/surf diagonally, possibly going more aligned to catch waves then cutting diagonally once you are on waves, and/or you can zigzag doing runs with the waves then going sideways or even upwind slightly for a distance before aligning with the waves again. In open ocean paddling it is not unusual to be able to work with smaller wind waves going more your way than the dominant swell.

Specialized Video Collections

Reivers Dustin: “…On those side-beam things you have to be able to wobble and bend but still have enough pull to keep boat speed. Can't be bracing, you gotta adjust on the fly with your power strokes. Once you stall, then its just so hard to get boat speed again…” (Editor Note: Reivers is talking primarily about keeping your speed up when you are actually going downwind, not the parts where you are going up wind at the start of runs, or sections where you are going purely cross beam where you are getting no push from the wind or waves, although maintaining some momentum is usually better in most situations)

Some tide races (see tide race videos), if you have the skills and prep to paddle in them safely can also provide plenty of side wave action to play and practice in…

Going Sideways Before Turning and Going Downwind