One of the great aspects of side surfing is the lift the water dynamics provides to your brace. The faster the side surf, the more powerful the lift on the paddle. As the power of the wave dissipates, the lifting power on the paddle also decreases. At this point, you must be balanced over your kayak or you will do a slow capsize toward the wave. 

By quickly getting your balance point back over your kayak, you increase your options. You can side surf toward shore, leaning on the force of the wave. However, you are limited from moving your kayak in any other direction if you need your paddle for constant support. To avoid obstacles (rocks, swimmers, surfers, kayakers, etc.) that you may be approaching, if you are balanced over your kayak, you can initiate a forward or backward stroke while moving sidewards toward shore.

A word of caution regarding side surfing: It's not uncommon for novices to capsize after successfully surviving the impact zone. While traveling sideways, it's easy to regain your balance over the boat, but don't forget to keep the kayak on edge. Sitting straight up without holding the kayak on edge while side surfing will lead to a capsize. To simulate the feeling of side surfing in calm water, you will need an assistant to help by having him pull your kayak out from under you while you are balanced over your boat in the edged position. First, loosely loop a piece of sling webbing around your boat as seen in photo D. Place the webbing so your kayak will move sideways evenly. (I have found that point to be around the lap of the paddler.) 

D
With a sling looped around her kayak, the paddler edges her kayak away from the trainer, as if preparing for the impact of a wave approaching from the left.