Definitely try to not head out as a beginner alone.
Was a huge help in many occasions that myself and the guy that took lessons with me and learned with me took turns on the kite while the other watched onshore and helped when needed ( A LOT!!).
There are always guys on the forum heading out if the winds are blowing. Keep an eye out and find out where others are going.
As stated before.. a NE or S wind makes East Beach in Ft. Desoto a riders paradise and that is really the place to learn. Waist deep water in all directions, lots of room to navigate and long beach (that you will be walking many times)
Once you get up and ride, be prepared to become a kite junkie where all you do is breathe, eat and dream about kiting .. plan on quitting your job and sitting at home watching for subtle changes in the weather that might amount to enough wind to get your fix. Oh.. if you have a girlfriend and/or wife and/or kids.. prepare to put them to the side for a while during the fall/winter/spring months.
-B