Hey Tammathy,
m80's are fantastic kites to learn on, they are very very stable, and the 12m is pretty quick 2 turn etc, the pull is steady and predictable 2...
The bar you get with it is very well designed, totally safe as with the 5th line safety etc ensures your tangle free if anything turns sour... also means you can just unspin the bar if you crash and roll in the water while learning, or once you start doin rolls/flips etc...
The drop boards are very good for riding in choppy water, i dont usually ride one personally. but a lot of guys i ride with do, havnt heard a complaint from one of them about the boards...
see if you can get a WLF instead of the drop, the extra width will get you up and going faster. then as you progress you can still use it cos the board just gets better and better... I use the WLF 130 now with Alpha bindings and love it. (i also ride a quiver of m80s so i know wat they are like)
Liquid force only make waist harnesses as far as i know, but the new 06 LF waist harnesses are top quality, and offer a suprising amount of comfort, the included spreader bar pad is really comfy, and as long as its hooked up right, stops 90% of all bar movement which is a huge plus for beginers.
i prefer a waist harness, others kiters dont, its up to personal preference. go into the shop and try both seat and waist harness on, see what you like and im sure the shop can swap the harnesses and keep the same deal... same should go with the boards 2...
even without changing the deal around, its a great setup to learn on
see wat they say about price and just ask if thats the best they can do... should be around the $2100 mark, maybe less if they are nice people. It will also help to have lessons with the same people you buy gear from...
hope this helps
