Detailed description of water skip and various methods to do so.
Make sure to walk along the line in the water to be as far to the left as possible. When approaching the ladder, try to climb more on the right side, rather than the left.
There are a variety of strategies for water wave 2. Two distinct branches exist: buffering with the movement line to cross the next screen or not. The goal is to cross the screen while the water wave is doing the same.
There is no 'right' way to do it. Look at the various approaches below and test what works for you. The key part is crossing the screen at the correct time. It takes about 10 seconds between the first wave passing you on the ladder and skipping the second wave.
“There is a ten frame window to skip the second wave, but only eight if you want to skip both the second and third.” - LCC
All methods in this section involve crossing the screen with a timed movement buffer. The first two methods can be done with pause buffering, making them very consistent. Getting off the ladder immediately is important to all of these setups except the Radar method.
This skip is about your movement and the timing of the second wave skip. Know when to turn the corners. You want to get into the hallway before the wave hits you. If you are a bit slow, the wave can carry you back.
“There are two frames at the end of the second wave window where it's impossible to skip the third wave, and two frames before that you need perfect movement. If you hear no wave sound after the screen transition, then you can't skip it and have to use the ladder.” - LCC
If you want to take this wave safe, here's a demonstration on how to do so at 1:15.
This shouldn't hit you if you are planning on going up to the Tower. If you want to get Cardboard Box Y, go to the exit ladder, wait for the wave to pass, then run over to the last ladder on the right side.
Be careful going down the Box ladder so you don't hit a wave on the way back to the exit ladder.