Hey nzcanoer,
Miss Jessie is all over it, you need professional lessons on the right gear from a decent school or instructor.
All of our access to sweet beaches is becoming at serious risk from people taking dodgy lessons from mates, buying crap or inappropriate gear thru the quokka or ebay, and then kooking out on public beaches.
I think you will find you get a lot heat from local riders now if you start kooking in light of the Mullaloo issues (another topic).
A trainer kite and a DVD will help heaps, but is no substitute for good lessons. I or any of the other schools in Perth can help you, although I don't want kayaking lessons.

Do the right thing ........ for all of us!
Good winds,