Dress appropriately and enjoy yourself. Being cold also makes you expend more calories which shortens your session. Quite often, they know of the hot deals, close-outs, etc. They can save you money. For various reasons, while the sport in the Southeast is strong, shops have had a tough time making money, and even, moreso, renting equipment.
Most sailors have their own and used equipment is cheap enough to make the rental market limited.
Also, since waterfront property inland is at a premium, shops can't locate on the water like they do in coastal locations. Club member Chuck Hardin of Whitecap Windsurfing does rent equipment in Augusta, GA which is about 2-2.5 hrs from Atlanta. On the Gulf, there is Tackleshack in Tampa. Let me know if you know of other shops that do rent. Hoyle Schweitzer refused to modernize his designs, construction and equipment.