Learning unhooked issues

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

Recently I've been trying to work on unhooked riding when the wind is light. No tricks just unhooking and hooking back in. So I bear off downwind and unhook and then straighten out and then bear off downwind again to hook back in.

The problem I have is when I get in a spot I'm uncomfortable with and try to grab the chicken loop to depower the kite. I keep managing to snag the quick release and then I don't have a chicken loop at all.

A quick note then the actual question. I'm riding a T2 and the 100% depower attachment point is above the bar. Recently I've been working on backrolls so I have been attaching my safety to the depower line between the bar and chickenloop so the safety doesn't get wound in the bar when I spin the bar to untangle the lines.

So the questions. How do I not pull the chickenloop release in this case? Is there a good way to not do it? Do I just have to get more experienced with it before I figure out how to make it work for me? Would grabbing my safety leash near the chickenloop be effective? I don't want to drop the kite I just want it to depower some so I can hook back in. Oh and finally when I'm working on unhooked should I be moving my safety back to the 100% depower?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Important to get the trim set properly before you unhook - bow kites can tend to backfly and stall

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

I sense a 'How To' on YouTube search in your future, man that's alot of questions. Rolling Eyes

Sol-flyer · Thu Jul 07, 11 7:45 am

The older slingshot safety release's are notorious for coming released when grabbing the C.loop to hook in. I used to tape it down with ductape. Lol. And hooking your leash "suicide" really helps to recover the bar before the kite crashes. This also depowers (sheets out) the bar when you let go.

Also unless your going to pop there really is no reason to edge against the kite while unhooked (for the most part). Find a comfortable downwind tack with little bar pressure and still enough kitepower to keep you up on a plane, then unhook and shred that swell like the latest ben wilson video Smile

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

I found I was having the same problem. Those videos are a good start, but I realized really fast that I needed time on the water and a lot of advice from fellow kiters on the beach. Take those lessons from the video and modify them to your style.

When I started riding unhooked, I woud only ride down wind unhooked (swell or river) - any time I started to tack or go up wind, I would hook back in. Now the first think I do is make sure my kite is trimmed perfectly on the beach then head out. Made things a lot easier. Just my $.02.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

If you are at the point of doing backrolls and unhooking I'd suggest upgrading from the T2... it was a good bow kite back in the day but the bow style kites are pretty much gone replaced by the "hybrid" bridled/C kite style like the RPM/Park/etc.

If you can find an old C kite go for it... they may suck at range but they are the best kites to learn unhooked on IMO Very Happy

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Talk to this guy, he is a badass instructor. Pro in a week or your money back.
[url]
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-22733.html[/url]

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

The wind was real light at Sauvie last night so I was able to get some unhooking practice in without having to worry about getting yarded. It went pretty well. Just gotta keep at it.

forrest · Fri Jul 08, 11 9:22 am

I would just forget about grabbing the chicken loop and instead just bare off the wind even more, and just hook back in while holding the bar. The process of unhooking and hooking back in should eventually be just muscle memory.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

Thanks Forrest. That's what I ended up doing yesterday and it worked great. I think I probably just need more practice doing it in moderate winds so it doesn't worry me as much.

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jul 08, 11 9:30 am

Sooo, care to revise your "I'm going to learn a KGB this summer" goal?

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

Hell no monkey. Next couple sessions I'm going to work on unhooked and getting some good pops unhooked and then it's all painful crashes and getting dragged through the water on my way to the F16. Once I get that down the Back mobe should come along in due course.

I may be the kookiest dude on the water but I have stoke to spare. Whether or not actually learn it this year I'm sure as hell gonna try.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

You got my respect.

Eric

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

I agree with the 'upgrade from the T2'.

I finally sold all of mine last year and am much happier now.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

What did you replace them with? My cash flow isn't great at the moment but I definitely want to get a 9m that's better for wakestyle tricks eventually.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

RPM

Find a 2009 because they'll be cheaper and are essentially the same exact kite as 2010.

Your unhooked life will prosper.