Good luck. Agree with your comments and H77's. Foot straps/holders are a MUST. Your most aft is about 6" from the stern, the other as aft as possible on the sidebar. They are essential on a reach and keep you in place when in waves or stops 'n starts.
When tacking in big winds I'm usually on the trap, close hauled, hulls level. As the cat comes into the wind, I head aft to help "pull" it through the wind. Timing is critical - as you feel in coming through and you get that "I'm gonna make it" feeling, pull yourself up quick, let out the main a little as you transfer to the new windward side. Once there, (I'm usually solo), I uncleat the jib and sheet in quickly to the new heading, trap out and sheet in the main.
I'm sure you'll get lots of other helpful ideas.
Hope you do well. Ron