Sailing in big waves can be fun like off-roading, except that the road is moving. If the waves are so big that you feel them pushing your boat backward, turn a little bit toward the wave more perpendicular to the crest just as it reaches your bow. This action minimizes the surface area that the waves can push upon, similar to a surfer paddling out through the breakers. The key when using this technique is keeping your speed hence, steerageway up. Bear off and regain speed as soon as your boat is on top of the wave.