A wave energy recovery system includes a plurality of motion translating assemblies, each assembly includes a buoy coupled to a shaft segment. The shaft segments form a shaft that is coupled to an electric power generating device. Each shaft segment is coupled to a buoy such that when the buoy moves vertically in response to a passing wave, the shaft segment rotates, thus rotating the shaft. The shaft is coupled to the electric power generating device such that when the shaft rotates, the generating device produces electric power. Once electric power is generated, it is delivered to shore, where it is stored, used to power a device, or delivered to a power distribution grid.