As for taking lessons it really is up to you; but here is what I think.
Some people will need hours and hours of lessons and still wont be able to ride. Some people will ride after the first lesson. I dont know what is it with people being reluctant to take lessons; if it is because of the money than you should quit right away as kitesurfing can be quite expensive. If it is because you want to prove to yourself that you can do it on your own it is legit though you'll learn faster with a good kite teacher. And I am not talking about those teachers that will tell you that you need many many many hours ... so they can only make more money out of you.
My story;
I didn't want to spend a fortune on kite lessons but on the other hand I remembered losing quite a lot of time learning windsurfer by myself...so I took a starter course in the winter; it was 120$ for an hour and a half and honestly really well worth it. I learned the basics, the does and dont ... after I bought some equipment and started on my own.
So I was down on lessons 120$; nothing as opposed to what I've spent in gear afterward.
Then came the summer; same thing I spent 80$ taking a crash course on the basics of kitesurfing. I should have been less cheap and take a 3 hours course I would have been riding faster because a good teacher can spot your flaws right away and get you going fast.
Anyway; 200$ to get going faster on the water is really well worth it. If you say that you are good in water sports than you should definitely take a small kite lesson, you'll save a lot of time and you will be riding way faster. Also you'll know right away the basics; bodydrag, waterstarts, self rescue, self launching and self landing etc...
I ride by myself very often (really early in the morning before work) so being able to launch and land myself alone was a must and I didn't want to destroy my equipment learning
Hey welcome to the most addictive drug in the world; Cracksurfing oops I meant Kitesurfing
Have fun !!! but stay safe.