A novel method of generating electrical power from water waves utilizing a 'Surfing' motion was studied. Several system configurations were tested to evaluate the key aspects on which the power capture was dependent; it was found that the system power capture efficiency was primarily dependent on the wave steepness. It was found that the current system embodiment was able to absorb a maximum of approximately 14% of the available wave power. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.