Generally, kiters will avoid you.

To make this easier, look upwind when walking backwards into deeper water. If a kiter is going to pass upwind of you, wait and keep the kite low. If the kiter is going to pass downwind of you, keep walking backwards and keep the kite at 12 o'clock.

It sounds like you have a lot more sense/respect than some of the noobs I've seen out there recently who seem to want to just stand in the water out on the sandbar with their kite at 12! The fact that you are asking this question is a good sign I would say.

It is hard when you are a beginner but the best advice I can give you is to try and find somewhere a little bit quieter to practice until you feel confident in controlling the kite. It is a shame that West beach is not a bit bigger because I have seen it get increasingly busy in recent times, and I can remember what it is like to be a noob. This beach is becoming increasingly dangerous due to the sheer number of kiters. There are other beaches locally that work well with the prevailing wind that might give you a little bit more space for practicing, where you are free to make mistakes without the fear of taking out someone else's kite in the process.

Otherwise just try and find somewhere on West Beach where there are not too many kiters i.e. the Port Melbourne end of the beach. Recently the kiddie-pool (Which is unofficially really meant to be for advanced riders) has seen a deluge of noobs who understandably want to practice their skills. Unfortunately the noobs are not really in full control, and really don't understand the difficulties involved in learning unhooked tricks. This means that the kiddie-pool is becoming increasingly crowded and dangerous.

If you are a noob and are kiting at West Beach please try and keep moving. DO not stand out on the sandbar with your kite in the air doing nothing. If someone else is so close that you do not feel comfortable in water-starting do not just stand there with your kite at 12. Just move until you find some space. When you do "the walk of shame" make sure you are far enough from the water that your kite will not interfere with anyone else who is trying to water-start.

Unfortunately the way things are going right now I fear that within 2 years we will either have had a serious accident, or will have banning/restrictions imposed at this beach. Let's all try and make sure that this does not happen.

My advice is consolidate what you have learnt with as many hours flying as possible .Really get the kiting side of things dialed so that when you add the board you are not combining something that you are new and still not an expert with another thing .
make the most of days that experienced kiters rate as crap and not worth going out in (the light wind days ) there will be fewer distractions and you be amazed with the skills that you develop in light winds ( and particularly finesse) .You will find that those skills gained in the light stuff will make the windy stuff so much easier .

i'm not sure that too light wind is adequate for beginners... you need reasonable amount to get you going... with insufficient wind it's easy to get tea bagged... i wouldn't recomend below 15... it's hard learning your board skills, and trying to fly the kite hard in too light wind when starting off.... of course one should be weary of too strong winds when learning too...

also, best times to go kiting (least crowded) - any time before 5pm, and also i find an hour or so before sunset most kiters have already finished... had some best sessions then... also in really cold weather it's not very crowded...

finding a quiet spot is your best bet... whether you are newb, or veteran kiter, kiting in crowds is a sh1tty experience...

i see it all the time at my local spot... heaps of kiters (most seem fairly new) congested in the exact same spot... the only way i can explain this phenomenon is that they can't move upwind to get out of that area... it's like going shopping before christmas

hey all, good post! Im in the same boat, have just picked up the kite and my main concern is pissing others off on the beach. After i tangled lines with a guy the other week at pinaroo point im super paranoid now. Is there any quiet beaches/spots in perth where would be good for learning the kite? North would be better