[badsneakers]

Having no experience in that kind of situation I'm guessing he needed more speed to keep ahead the waves breaking over the stern. I'm also guessing that taking the waves at a slight angle would lessen the chances of going 'ass over tea kettle'. But I can't imagine that heading back into the waves would be a better alternative. Unless of course his heading dictated that he did so.

Aside from the immediate danger, I can't imagine how exhausting that must be to wrestle with the helm like that for hours on end!