As long as you mean gybe 60% of the time but waterstart every time

The board will be fine, you will notice that your gybes may improve as you can gybe on the face of a bit of swell and it will help carry u through a bit more without dropping off the plane

I've also found a 111L Carve is fine in the ocean/surf. Was using up to about 4ft waves with no problem, 5.7 and 6.4 conditions.

Set your straps inboard, mastfoot all way forward.

Actually it is often easier (see less joltingly rough) in the surf than mega choppy flatwater/bay conditions, more fun too

... now you're going to want a wave board. Personally I've picked up a cheap FreestyleWave that may eventually replace the carve.

Na not a wuss, it's just the unknown, you're lucky you had a river to learn on.

Leave your gear as is, that's what you're used to, pick your day and make sure there are others out. After doing that a few times you'll work out what you want and how you want to do it, have fun

Here's my mate

I wouldn't recommend starting out at Brighton beach unless there's practically 0 swell or you've already got well honed wave-reading skills.

Strong downwind current that kills your apparent wind, dumpy waves, kiters, windsurfers, kayaks, swimmers everywhere and the odd buoy makes a recipe for disaster (read as kit destruction) for newbies.

There are plenty of good places to cut your teeth in the sea around Perth metro:
[url="www.google.com:443/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode&q=john+wilkie+wa&sll=-31.805664,115.726976&sspn=0.0186,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=-31.805993,115.733242&spn=0.0186,0.038624&z=15"]
Pinnaroo Point - Lacks a shore break and is great for getting used to sailing in "3D" especially when there's a decent swell. Good initiation but don't spend too much time here if your goal is wave sailing.

Dutchies
maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cottesloe&sll=-31.805993,115.733242&sspn=0.0186,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=-32.007057,115.751621&spn=0.00464,0.009656&z=17 - Rarely picks up a decent swell in summer so is a top spot for bump n jump or small wave sailing. There are a few rocks so ask the locals to point them out before you set out.

Leighton beach
maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Leighton+Beach,+6159,+Australia&sll=-32.007057,115.751621&sspn=0.00464,0.009656&ie=UTF8&cd=3&geocode=FRFKF_4dkS3mBg&ll=-32.027179,115.748241&spn=0.009278,0.019312&z=16&g=Leighton+Beach,+6159,+Australia&iwloc=addr - Has already been discussed but this is a good summer location when the number of kiters is low.

Mullaloo Beach
maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=mullaloo+beach&sll=-31.775607,115.743456&sspn=0.035462,0.077248&g=mullaloo+beach&ie=UTF8&ll=-31.784874,115.732706&spn=0.009302,0.019312&z=16&iwloc=addr - Further north, Mullas is a good beach break training ground. Look for a small swell or a high tide for minimal white water. However newbies should be fine in anything up to 2.0m swell (Rotto reading).