Hi Muz,
Something I think has been missed here and likely the most sound advice is to simply sail with others. You will never be able to cover all the 'what if' scenarios with beach cat sailing.
Last year I started a social Hobie sailing group here in South East Queensland. We often sail @ Wivenhoe Dam or out in Moreton Bay and try to gather as many boats as we can each time. Membership is free and we have members who sail H14, H16 and H18. It's a great social way to learn how to sail (as many of us are still learning) and practice techniques like righting your cat.
Recently a H16 snapped a tiller cross bar rendering the boat unsteerable. If it wasn't for the other members sailing at the same time they would have had their cat washed into Peel Island against the mangroves.
The only downside is that this group is found on facebook so you will need a facebook account. If you don't have one I'm sure your 11 year will.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/474123539363235/I've also posted pictures from our sailing adventures here:
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=49784Hope to talk with you soon,
Cheers Matt