Never sail alone... and don't leave if one person is still out alone at end of the day.

good tip, thanks, have always thought a piece of rope would be good to tow someone, but that is a more probable reason to have some rope.

Don't sail at night !! It's irresponsible !

It's not always (or even often) possible to sail with others so:
-Change UJ tendon often
-Use carbon booms
-Try to keep your runs short after sunset (I often fail at this one but it's a good idea)

If you have a sandbar between you and deeper water, go at low tide, that way waves break on sandbar leaving fairly smooth water between the beach and bar. At high tide the waves go over the bar and into the channel between the bar and shore where they can pound your equipment especially on the beach.

I have my bit of rope wrapped around the impact vest shoulder strap.

Also have a plan for if the tendon breaks. I've looped my downhaul around the mast base and carefully sailed in with no damage to the board.

powersloshin said..
Don't sail at night !! It's irresponsible !

So alone, at night, sleep deprived and over 30kts is a no no then.

Keep an eye on the conditions.
Go upwind first.

Don't sail drunk

Foam ear plugs cut in half to protect ear drums.
1m long downhaul line in board shorts pocket (excuse to wear them over shortie wetsuit).

Used to have a whistle, helmet and life jacket when I sailed alone in cold water hours away from civilization.

Various more tips and tricks including some technique:
windsurfing.lepicture.com/tips-and-tricks/

Also, in general, concentrate your new move technique early on then ease out and when tired (failing transitions) give up, there'll be more wind tomorrow...