Just finalizing my order this week. (looking to gear up before Halloween) I'm often on the Gulf Coast in the spring and fall to kite surf around the dolphin island and Ft. Walton areas. I'm a ph.d student (at Mississippi State) so free time is not something I have a lot of. That being said, I might be interested in meeting up, my girl friend is heavily interested in pick up a saber as well. We are looking to begin learning skills soon.
(Since we are planing a Luke-Vader scene outside at a local halloween party, I picked up 4 cheap toy saber-staffs that break in to 8 sabers to toss in to the group of friends..... hoping the after party battle is going to be epic).