It depends on the wind direction and angle of the beach you're walking on whether it's easier to hold your kite over the water or over land. Every beach and every wind direction is different. But it is generally safer to hold it out over the water, the wind is generally cleaner and water is a softer landing than trees and concrete if something goes wrong.

Based on the wind direction it's alot easier to hold it over land. I'm worried if i depower the kite any further it will exacerbate the problem of the kite stalling? When it stalls/falls i leg it straight upwind to try and get some tension in the lines

Sounds like you are doing everything right but you might have to just change your kite position depending the day, obstacles and most importantly people i.e.. if theres a lot of people on the beach and the wind is patchy place it over the water until it's clear on the land side again. This all might sound obvious but some of the crap I've seen lately makes me wonder

I'm past the walk of shame now but back then if the wind was up and I was fully depowered... don't laugh but I use to tack across the beach until I got back to the start point...you do what you have to, to keep kiting

If there is in fact enough wind, perhaps its because the wind becomes obscured when you are flying your kite over the land.
Try and walk out away from the land first if possible, if you cant then keep the kite at 12

stop being a girl and ride upwind

After you have mastered the walk of shame you should try a walk of shame to blind.

This is purples mrs, i check his forum posts. johnnymack if you watch his screaming infant and hyperactive toddler he is free to do the de-poo or whatever you all call it. Purples account is suspended

Hang on which one have I been talking all dirty with?

If the guys doing the walk then he's not quite got it yet, if the winds straight down the beach the over land or water is the same, however over water is considered the safer, if it's cross on the easiest is over land, if cross off then you shouldn't be kiting at your level,
The pace that you walk and the trim at the bar need constant attention whilst walking, don't walk a kite over land ( ie sand dunes) as this terrain increases draft and can be dangerouse,
Use the walk as a lesson in kite control, keeping a kite flying 100mm off the sand or water is more beneficial than flying at 10 or 2 o'clock, this will translate on the water to aid your upwind riding and kite control, if you don't have 100% control of your kite then you shouldn't have a board

Johnny, a central hold over the bar ( one finger either side is the best), as you'll have board in the other or under arm means yo won't have a free arm to activate safety, keep this in mind, it's not hard to lose a few hundred mts in a few minutes when learning, if your not competent or your spots a bit scetchy for self launch and land then leave a teather option to land your kite downwind, a big hike in wind strength mid session, can be a great cardio workout

Just to clarify, JohnnyMack, are you walking backwards up the beach?

I personally find it easier to walk forwards and hence you need to fly the kite at about 10 or 2 as you can only really walk backwards when flying the kite directly above you. Lean against the pull of the kite and your walking speed should keep just enough apparent wind to stop the kite stalling. If you feel a lull you can jog forwards a couple of steps to help keep the kite in the air.

YMMV

You could try body dragging all of the way back up the beach. It's slow and you end up with a lot of water in your face, but it doesn't sound like the alternative is treating you any better.

some good advice there johnnymack. one thing i strongly recommend is wearing your boardshorts over the top of your wetsuit. Not only does this look stylish but it also helps with the walk of shame, when you look good, you feel good and the walk is so much easier regardless of kite at 10 11 12 1 or 2

KIT33R said..
A newbie downwinder is a good idea if space allows. Have a friend leave a car a few km down wind. Ride in and out, honing your skills along the way, then catch a ride back to where you started.

A couple of kite schools do a similar thing but from a boat. They take you out sea. Drop you in and then follow you until you get bored/tired then pick you up again. You get the cleaner wind (away from any turbulent land features) and generally don't have to worry about crashing into other people. It seems like a nice way to get quick progression.

Plummet said..
I did the walk of shame down wind the other day. That was odd.. Tacked way the hell upwind. Then the wind died completely. I had to walk back down wind to get to the launch site....

You lead an interesting life.

lol.