2. Check yourself, fool:

Wrap up; make sure you’re wearing suitable clothing to keep you warm (but not too hot!) and comfortable during your sailing session as it’s worth bearing in mind if it all goes wrong you may be getting to know the water pretty darn well.

Board silly; always check your deck plate, footstraps and fin are tight and show no signs of wear.

Rig right; your outhaul, inhaul and downhaul are the easiest thing to take for granted, yet if they break you’ll know about it all too well! So replace your ropes often and whilst you’re at it; ensure your mast is correctly slotted together, the boom clamp ‘snaps’ shut and you wouldn’t wear your cap upside-down so why should your mast – make sure it’s pulled on tight!