Yes, I was a near beginner, having only taken one course in Aruba ten years ago when the equipment was quite different.

Usually they will start you out flying a small kit from the beach to learn the controls. Then some body dragging in the water. Then from the boat in deeper water. I was able to get up and ride some distance, but I have a lot of watersports background. Changing direction is more challenging. I will say I felt a lot safer with Caribkiteboarding than I did in Aruba, where one guy in a dinghy was managing 3 students bodydragging out to sea in an offshore wind.