Hello,
The Worrell used to start in the morning and there were frequent starts which required a paddle to pass thru the surfline. Thus my advice to the wave sailor on the panhandle.

Each sailor developes their own ideas and techniques according to where they sail. you seem to have good wind. lucky you.
i always wear a life jacket if there is spray hitting me as i sail-just a habbit. The west side of maui can be flukey and once we had to paddle in from a couple miles out because the crew needed to catch an airplane, and we were becalmed. 2 other times we broke a shroud anchor pin on the north shore and used the paddle the help us get back to the beach. it was downwind luckily. i always head upwind first when freesailing in case something breaks.