get gear at the end of your lessons. That way even if you use it once a month you will maintain your skills.
If you wait till next season to go again you will need lessons again to jog your memory.
Also some shops, dunno about your local, offer discounts if you get fear through them after you get lessons.

Fair to say that in general winter conditions are far from ideal for learning. Not saying don't get gear now, but waitin till October/November to get back out there could save you injury or worse....

The way i see it is this.

You have 2 viable options.

1) flag the last lesson and start from scratch in spring. There's no point learning any more and then not doing anything over winter. Your'l have to relearn again in spring anyway.

2) Buy gear and ride through winter. As stated above. Winter is harder to learn and more dangerous. The main thing you need to learn for winter riding is to understand weather patterns, forecasts and how stormy squally weather affects the wind. Kite selection is key over winter and is the difference between being safe and getting injured.

Of course you HAVE to buy gear. Geeesh some people want all the fun for nothing?

Only kidding.

Buy towards the end of the season. Every location has seasons at various times of the year and the local shops usually get next year's stuff around the tail end of a season or closer towards Christmas. Ask around and stick with a brand you've already tried or learnt on.

Don't buy gear until you are up and going on board. At that point you are aware enough what you want and your instructor should have all the input they need about your needs to guide your decision.
Then irregardless of season, just choose the winds suitable and go practice.
Remember there is no such thing as wasted time flying your kite

Good question Harrison.
I'm a safety bay local to. Advanced beginner. I reckon there is still plenty of viable days left in the season and even some in winter if you can read the weather well (background in windsurfing or sailing etc) just avoid the narly north westerly storms at your level.
So long story short. Get your gear asap and get out there.
Feel free to Pm me if you want / need someone to ride with or advise on conditions etc. I'll be there!

80kgs 21 and was on a 10m yesterday arvo and that felt good so will probably stick with that kite, and cheers man will defs hit you up

still plenty of good days left in WA yet! Just look at yesterday...

Get the gear

BUT watch what others are doing even more than in summer and take your lead from them. If they are kiting in winter most will know what they are up to re squalls etc

I was probably only a month or two in front of you this time last year and after 3 months away came back to kiting in winter. Fast learning curve for sure - first time back out at the pond after 3 months and we had 18 knots turn into 30 plus in maybe 10 mins. Learnt to find some cover in the lee of those western "dunes" and lay the kite on its tip till the squall passed just like everyone else.

Go hard now and then be patient and pick your days in winter proper.

If you have had some lessons and like kiting, get some suitable gear - new or good second hand! If you have your own gear you have some "skin in the game" and you are more likely to get out when the wind is good and improve your skills. Taking a break now till next season will slow your progression. As others have said, just take some advice from your locals about whether conditions are suitable - most experienced kiters are pretty helpful and happy to help out newbs.