Master a hooked kiteloop first as you're going to need to have a good feel for your kite and what its like looping. This trick is 60% guts and 40% timing. Not a difficult trick to nail but its certainly not a friendly one when your getting used to unhooking. Infact, if you're in need of a colonic irrigation then doing this trick naked is a fantastic option for a spring clean. Jokes aside, its a very good step into the world of unhooked tricks and it'll improve you general kiting massively as you'll be way more comfortable with your kite. Start learning this bad-ass trick when your able to bang out your Raleys and basic unhooked tricks like backrolls and frontrolls.
Common mistake: going for big loops. This is only going to end in tears whilst your learning. Try smaller loops first by looking to kite when its at either 1 or 11, rather than 12.
Despite there being 7 steps to this trick, it all happens very fast so remember the basics and use your instincts as to what to do with the kite.
Trick Steps
1
Steer downwind and unhook with your kite a little higher than 45.
2
Put both hands on 1 side of the bar and pull hard. As you do so, engage your heel edge as you would for a Raley
3
Heres the tricky bit: Releasing the edge and going into the Raley. Release your edge too early and you'll get a huge yank followed by nasty slack in your lines mid-jump. Release too late and you'll just get rolled as soon as you get into the Raley. So, you want to release your edge as the kite it is approaching its lowest point in the loop so that when it is in the center of the power zone, you'll be in mid air. Being mid air allows you to handle the power of the kite in a managable way.
4
So, you're mid air in the Raley position and the kite is looping. Enjoy the ride! Try to keep your core tight to avoid any unwanted twisting and while your learning its a good idea to keep your arms a little bent so that your able to get the kite back under control. We suggest keeping your head up when learning, looking at the kite at all times.
5
The Kite is completing its loop so its time to come back down to earth. Bring your elbows back in and put your hand back onto the otherside of the bar. Let your legs come back underneath you.
6
Spot your landing and get ready to land with lots of speed.
7
Absorb the impact with your knees and continue to ride downwind until you are able to hook back in.
