ISTM that had the RV come out further over the beach (on the runway track) then a) that would have destroyed the constant-aspect feature which formed such a big part of this accident and b) he might have had a better chance of spotting the DA40 on his LH side.
Of course "nobody" likes to fly any distance over the sea.
In general, I find it much easier to look for circuit traffic when well away from the circuit. Once in the circuit, you have to watch various things and lookout is hard unless somebody is more or less straight ahead, or within a +/- 45 or so degree arc left/right.