It seems to me that kiting is sort of where skiing was 10 years ago. People go for gnarly stuff and big air. That makes sense as a new sport. However there is a new movement towards "wake style" riding. Wakestyle is about not getting huge air, but popping and doing similar tricks to wakeboarding and hitting sliders and shit (as far as i understand at least).
Anywho, new kiteboards are fucking expensive ($600-1000). I found this company called Tona though. All their riders and developers are pretty wakestyle and their boards are made by the same manufacturer as Ronix wakeboards, so they're well constructed and super durable. I haven't yet read a bad review. They sort of seem like Line skis in the beginning. Their board is only $500 and you get $100 + free shipping if you buy ronix boots with it.
I picked up one of the boards and i'm heading to cape hatteras for a week in june with my parents to learn. gonna buy a kite or two down there as well
heres the link to the newschoolers kiteboard group (i think it works)