What is a good way to learn how to unhook?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I'm ready to take the leap and start doing some unhooked riding. Anyone have advice on how to progress? What should my first steps, and tricks be?

Cheers

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri May 29, 09 6:16 am

Arn't you on a surfboard?
The first unhooked move is typically a railie.
In terms of advice for people ready to unhook, and this may seem a little dickish, but fear is usually what keeps people from unhooking.

There are multitudes of videos and articles on what and how so the first step really is grow a set of testicles, get off your lawnmower, and try it.

If you don't do it today, you'll be that much older when you do.

j · Since 08 Nov 2006 94 Posts Seattle

Here what the pro's do:

Hook your bar up to a bungy to simulate the pull of a kite. Put on your harness and sit in an office chair, then practice hooking and unhooking at least 187 times before you try it on the water. Its all muscle memory. Once you've perfected this you can unhook and spin the chair to simulate an unhooked backroll, make sure to throw an grab in there to style it out, I'd recomend a tindy grab.

Sella · Fri May 29, 09 9:22 am

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

Just start freeriding unhookd and learning how to do transitions unhookd. That would be your first step. Next would be getting your arms, chest, back, and the rest of your body in shape to hold that shit down. If you not in shape to unhook your just gonna blow out.

To work on passes or minor tricks use a trainer to get your hands and brain ready to pass.

Thumb-war · Since 25 May 2009 23 Posts

Step 1. unhook
step 2. should be fun to watch

Thumb-war · Since 25 May 2009 23 Posts

Step 1. unhook
step 2. should be fun to watch

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

OK, I'll unhook today and let you know how it goes. Here's the plan. I've accidentally unhooked several times and have been able to get the chicken loop pulled down with one hand the bar up with the other.

I've noticed that when I'm carving on my sst 6-2 surfboard the kite, rpm 10, or 12 usually luffs as a come towards it on my turn. I'm going to leave my donkey !@#$ out and unhook. I'm thinking that if it is not crazy gusty I might hook the leash on the chicken loop instead of the safety loop. This way the kite just falls and I don't have to spend extra time going to the bar.

Advice? Constructive comments? Jokes?

ss rules

Chooch · Fri May 29, 09 1:17 pm

The only thing I would do different is hook my leash up to the depower line just above the chicken loop but below the bar, otherwise you run the risk of trying to hook back in and activating your quick release. Then its good bye kite.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

like chooch said, dont hook the leash on the chicken loop. I've had those red knob quick releases go off on accident before so attaching the leash there is not a good option.

i hook my leash up to the center rope just above the chicken loop, suicide style. the other thing you can do, like chooch mentioned is attach it to the depower strap below the handle/knob at the end. i've modded a couple of bars and put 3/4" rings on the depower rope below the knob, for clipping my leash to, when it is really nuking gusty. other people i let borrow my fuels who dont want to rig it straight suicide ride 'em this way as well. it works great, even better with an RPM or Rev.

once you get use to the yarding of loosing your bar when hooked up suicide style, it is not such a big deal. Wink

definately go for it! another thing i do to practice unhooked riding, is just unhook on my twin tip, and continue to ride working my way upwind. great for shoulder strength

Tommy · Fri May 29, 09 2:01 pm

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

taking the chicken loop off the spreader bar + growing a pair = unhooking..not that hard! u can do it!!!!! o P.S. go down wind.....>>>>>>

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri May 29, 09 7:15 pm

UI think he is going to figure the downwind part out pretty quick. With or without the bar in his hands.

Blokt · Fri May 29, 09 9:56 pm

I unhooked for the first time today at SI!

Really weird feeling, but what a trip!

Next step......RALEY!

I was flying my Havoc3 14M in light to medium wind.

Like Holly said, just do it. You won't die, really.

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I've been unhooking for the first time this season. Way easier than I expected. Before you unhook make sure you kite is trimmed properly then head downwind, unhook. If the shit hits the fan let go. It takes a few tries but once you get the feeling of how you need to point your board downwind to hook back in it's not scary anymore. I just landed my first "Gailey" today. Totally awesome feeling. I'm sure it looked lame as hell but I don't care, I'm a dangler at heart.

Andy

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

tried unhooking today.
I rode a 12m torch in lighter conditions, really was 14-16m wind.
perfect for unhooking.
C kites seem nicer for this style of riding.

Mike Hawk · Sat May 30, 09 9:23 pm **Dirty harry**