Yes, you generally need several lessons before getting out on the water unless you are suicidal... KiteBOARDING (not kitesurfing, you won't be riding waves for a while, which is called kitesurfing. Kiting across the water is called KiteBOARDING) is not a safe sport and there are thousands of things that can go wrong and you're at the mercy of the ocean/lake/the elements, you absolutely NEED someone experienced to teach you how to do it safely.