S Bends are one of the essential unhooked tricks that will lead to many more variations. An S Bend is an unhooked raley into a front rotation, landing heel-side. It’s one of the easiest unhooked tricks and can be done without too much power.
Kite Position
Your kite should be positioned at 11 or 1 o’clock throughout the duration of the trick. Before unhooking make sure your kite is parked and that your “sweet spot” on the bar is a couple inches from your chicken loop. As you pop off the water make sure you keep your kite parked. If you’re riding to the left your kite will be at 11 and if you’re riding right your kite will be at 1. At the top of your jump/ rotation you can slightly dive the kite downwards. This will help give you slack and make your landings smoother.
Body Position
Edge slightly downwind to unhook and as soon as you unhook edge away from the kite. As pop off the water, extend your arms, look over your back shoulder and bend your front knee. You’ll feel yourself rotate into a forward rotation. Continue looking over your back shoulder until you come around and spot your landing. As you unhook and rotate, keep your elbows close and bent. You use your head to initiate the rotation but can use your arms and shoulders to help assist. As you spot your landing, bend your knees. As you land ride towards the kite to make hooking back in easier.
