Master Windsurfing Instructor, David Dorn, has been visiting the Islands for over twenty years and now lives here permanently. He knows that traveling combined with Windsurfing presents its own unique set of challenges. Use some or all of Dave's tried and proven hints and you'll survive many of the common pitfalls that beset the Maui greenhorn.

Rent your windsurfing equipment.
No hassles with the airlines, The latest gear is always available, and you can exchange it to suit the conditions of the day. You also get the chance to try all sorts of different equipment. If the wind don't blow (which hardly ever happens) you can exchange it for Surfboards, Snorkel gear or simply take a *Lay Day

Take Windsurfing Insurance (for the gear).
Maui is pretty tough on the gear and accidents do happen. If you insure the gear before you sail, you wont get stuck with a hefty ding repair bill.

Know the Rules.
Get to know the *Rules before you break them. Windsurfers have to share the water with fishermen, swimmers & surfers. To avoid conflicts, a strict set of rules has been established. Access for windsurfing is denied at many beaches and there many other localized conditions that must be observed when windsurfing. Did you know that there is no windsurfing before 11:00am ? Ask the guys at the shop where to go and get a copy of the *Sail- Safe guidelines.

Pick your Beach
The Maui coastline offers a wonderful variety of beaches. Many beaches are off-limits to windsurfing, and some beaches are best left to experts only. You will always find a beach that will challenge you level of ability without endangering yourself (or others). Remember that there is no rescue service that will 'tow your board in' should you break down. So take a responsible attitude when deciding when and where to sail.

Wear Booties.
Maui is a big piece of lava covered with coral, and even the sandiest sailing beaches have many nasty sharp things that will slice up your feet, even the grass areas on some beaches are covered with Keawe (pronounced 'Key-ahh-vay') thorns. A pair of booties will save you feet from most scrapes and cuts. Keep your feet in good condition because you can't sail without them. Rip Curl and O'Neill both make excellent booties with thinner soles and split toes that give you good feel and work well with footstraps.

Know the conditions
Most shops can tell you what's happening each day. You may find that the wind is twice as strong at another beach or on the other side of the island. Foreknowledge will save you driving all over the Island looking for a spot, and will mean that you bring the right size sails to the beach.

Rig on the grass
If you are renting your equipment or have your own, you are better off rigging and de-rigging on the grass & out of the wind. This keeps sand and sharp objects away from your gear. This way you keep your rental guy happy and your car clean.

Secure your Sail
Always carry your board to the water's edge first then bring your rig down on your second trip. Attach the rig to the board straight away. (rig pointing downwind please). This way you will avoid a "fly-away rig" which is a dangerous and extremely anti-social thing to do, even by accident.

Watch your equipment
Boards have been known to disappear from the beach fully rigged. Windsurfing gear is expensive stuff and it tends to "grow legs" if you turn your back on it for too long. Whatever you do, don't leave your equipment on your car overnight. If you go to a restaurant on the way home from the beach, park your car right outside where you can see it at all times.

Sail with a Smile
Whenever we are on the water or even in the car park for that matter, remember that we are there to have fun, even if you get frustrated (which hardly ever happens in windsurfing) remember that the other guy is here to have fun too. Don't force your right of way because there are still many sailors who don't know the rules yet. A good sailor will always give way to the novice and give them plenty of room. If you keep smiling on and off the water, you will soon meet many sailing buddies who can give you; advice, praise, smiles back (and maybe even a tow-in if your gear breaks).

* Lay Day = Return your gear and you don't pay for that day.
* Sail-Safe guide = A free booklet available from windsurf shops.
* Rules = Just like driving your car, there are 'Right of way' rules, Flat Water sailing rules, special wavesailing rules, some sailing area restrictions, and some basic Hawaiian rules ( "Kapu"); E.g.; Don't mess with a guy who's trying to catch his dinner!
Source www.actionsportsmaui.com