The theoretical limit for absorption of energy in monochomatic water waves of wavelength λ by axisymmetric wave energy converters operating in rigid-body motion was established in the 1970s. The maximum mean power generated by a device absorbing due to heave motion is equivalent to that contained in λ∕2π length of incident wave crest. For devices absorbing through surge and/or pitch motions the so-called capture width doubles to λ∕π. For devices absorbing in both heave and surge/pitch the capture width increases further to 3λ∕2π. In this paper it is demonstrated it is theoretically possible to extend the capture width for axisymmetric wave energy converters without bound through the use of generalised (non-rigid body) modes of motion. This concept will be applied to vertical cylinders whose surface is surrounded by an array of narrow vertical absorbing paddles.