you will need the pants to zip in for sure. Check the track orgs website for how specific the gear needs to be as some are different. In novice consider it a street ride with your friends. Ride your pace and learn. As long as your aren't riding over your head you will be fine. The only people I have seen crash in novice is just due to riding at 100% and over all the time. STT, Mido, and Motoseries have really good novice programs. I have not been through NESBA but have heard they do class room stuff but just set you loose on track where the other 3 I listed make you follow a coach in the morning and will let you on your own later in the day.