True Toby.
In addition, if you can't confidently go upwind, you proably shouldn't be at the beach, because most of the time during the summer it is dead onshore winds.

Lately has been great (side-on) but odd. It is usually dead onshore.

Also, I would get a wind meter. If it says 11 or less (mph), don't even try. You'll probablly just put your kite on someone's head.. not good