What’s The First Freestyle Kiteboarding Trick?

Looking to nail your first hooked-in raley? This step-by-step guide from Elite Watersports breaks down how to perform this classic freestyle trick, perfect for beginners and intermediates. Learn the load and pop fundamentals, the importance of kite positioning at 11:00, and how to swing your board behind you for that freestyle feel. 

Whether you’re mastering the progression, fine-tuning your style, or getting the right gear, this blog has you covered. We also highlight the best Tampa Bay locations like Skyway Beach and Fort DeSoto to practice safely in forgiving conditions. 

Plus, find out why taking a lesson from an Elite Watersports instructor will accelerate your progress—because with expert guidance, you’ll avoid bad habits and perfect your technique faster.

Ready to take your kiteboarding to the next level? Book your one-on-one kiteboarding lesson now or  Shop kites and gear built for ralleys here.

How do you set up for your first hooked‑in raley?

Freestyle is a term often tossed around loosely in kiteboarding, but generally, it refers to tricks where the kite isn’t aggressively sent, and the rider is mimicking wakeboarding moves. Though most freestyle tricks are done unhooked, you can still perform them while hooked-in—and I’m a huge advocate for learning freestyle hooked-in before going unhooked. The first freestyle trick you should aim to master is the hooked-in raley, which requires solid load-and-pop control. Once you’ve got that, you’re on your way to more advanced freestyle moves.

The raley is a classic freestyle trick and often one of the first moves riders learn in this style. It’s the first step to learning unhooked tricks and forms the foundation for everything that follows. To nail your first hooked-in raley, proper setup is essential. Start with your kite positioned at 11:00—this gives you the right amount of tension to perform the move without overloading the kite. Keeping the kite stationary throughout the load and pop ensures you maintain control.

Once the kite is set, focus on your hands and bar positioning. Keep your hands together on the bar to reduce tension and create a more stable connection with the kite. As Aaron says: “Make sure your hands are together on the bar. The kite should be stationary—no moving it during the load and pop. If you move it, you’ll lose the power and control.” Keeping steady pressure in the lines will allow you to pop cleanly and smoothly without disruption.

The proper stance is also crucial. Stay balanced—don’t lean too far forward or backward. Your body should be centered over the board to maintain control. With the kite stationary and your body in the right position, you’re ready to execute the load and pop.

What is the step‑by‑step progression of a hooked‑in raley?

The progression to landing your first hooked-in raley can be broken down into clear, manageable steps. It starts with load and pop—the foundation for almost every kiteboarding trick. First, focus on loading your weight into the back foot, then pushing down into the board to create the necessary tension for the pop. Aaron stresses: “Remember, the first step is about load and pop. Without it, the rest of the trick won’t work.”

Once you have the load and pop down, it's time to focus on the board swing. As you pop, you need to release the board, letting it swing behind you as if you’re soaring through the air. The goal here is to keep your body steady and let the kite’s pull carry you while your board floats behind you. Think of it like you’re flying Superman-style. The more you can swing the board out behind you while maintaining control, the cleaner the trick will look.

Aaron talks about starting small: “Baby steps first. Don’t try to go big right away. You need to focus on bringing the board behind you and feeling the tension in the lines before you go for height.” The key here is not to rush the progression. Start with low, controlled pops and slowly increase the height as your confidence builds. Every controlled pop and release helps you refine the movement.

The last piece of the progression is landing the trick. As you come back down, focus on landing squarely on the board, not too far forward or back. Aaron recommends: “Aim downwind a little for your landing. This helps the board transition smoothly and keeps you from catching the edge.” With time, the combination of perfecting your pop, swinging the board behind, and landing softly will have you hitting the hooked-in raley with style.

Why is upwind angle important for hooked‑in raleys?

Your upwind angle plays a huge role in executing a hooked-in raley. Without maintaining the proper angle, the kite and board will lose tension, and you’ll risk a sloppy trick or worse, losing control. In the early stages, you’ll want to focus on a J-hook progression, which helps you keep that steady pull from the kite while allowing you to load the board for a clean pop. Aaron emphasizes: “When you’re loading up for the trick, make sure you’re pointed in the right direction—going upwind a little helps you stay in control as you pop.”

If you lose that upwind angle, things can get tricky. Instead of smoothly popping the board behind you, you might find yourself going downwind too quickly, making it harder to control the board and kite. It can feel like the trick is slipping away from you. This is where proper body position and loading up into the wind comes into play.

To fine-tune this, start by moving downwind just a little bit, then aim upwind to help the kite generate enough lift. By doing this, you allow the kite to pull you out of the water more efficiently, helping you pop higher without losing control. Aaron’s advice: “Start going downwind a bit, then aim up towards me, and you’ll feel the difference. The kite pulls you more evenly, and your board stays under control.”

Maintaining that upwind angle helps not only with the stability of the kite but also with the direction of the board. When you keep your angle in check, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more controlled landing. You’ll avoid the “skidded” landing that often happens when the kite and board lose their alignment.

How do you tweak out the board and kite for more style?

Once you’ve mastered the basic hooked-in raley, the next step is adding style—something that’s essential in freestyle kiteboarding. One way to increase style in this trick is by manipulating the kite’s position. As you start to pop and pull the board behind you, lowering the kite to 10:00 or 10:30 will give you more hang time and create that signature “wake-style” feel. Aaron points out: “The lower you go with the kite, the more style you get. That’s how you add a freestyle touch to your moves.”

Another key element in adding style is manipulating the board. As you pop, you want the board to stay behind you, parallel to the water’s surface. The further you can swing the board back behind you without losing control, the more you’ll improve your freestyle flow. Aaron emphasizes: “Tweak the board further behind you, and you’ll start getting that signature look where it almost feels like you’re flying through the air.”

As you continue progressing, you can start incorporating kite manipulation into the trick. This means slight adjustments to the kite’s position while in the air, which can add flair and style. The more you play with the kite, the more you can tweak the trick to suit your riding style. Remember, the key is to find that balance between control and expression.

To really elevate the trick, think of the kite as an extension of your movements. The better you get at controlling the kite’s position and using it to tweak the board, the more control you’ll have over the entire trick. By adding these adjustments, you’ll transform a basic hooked-in raley into a freestyle trick with real style.

What gear do you need for hooked‑in raleys?

To pull off a hooked-in raley with style and control, you need the right kite and gear to match the demands of the trick To be clear, any kite will work! That said, the style and size you choose will impact the experience a lot.. For the kite, you want something in the medium-performance range, like a 9–12m kite that gives you the perfect balance of power and control. Aaron advises: “You need a kite that’s powerful enough to get you out of the water, but responsive enough to allow for precise control when you’re in the air.”

A kite that’s too big can overpower the trick, while a kite that’s too small might not have the necessary lift. When you’re working on hooked-in ralleys, you want a kite that’s responsive, with a steady pull, so you can focus on the move without constantly fighting for power. Aaron adds: “Make sure you’re riding a kite that suits your level. A kite too large will make it harder to control during the trick, while a smaller kite won’t give you enough power to get that nice pop.”

When it comes to your bar and lines, you need something responsive to fine-tune kite control. A freestyle-oriented bar that’s responsive and allows for easy adjustments will help you maintain control during the pop and throughout the trick. In terms of boards, look for a freestyle board with good pop—it should have solid edge control, as you’ll need to load up the back foot for that powerful pop. The right freestyle board will help you maintain consistent control while keeping the trick smooth.

For your harness, make sure you’re using something that’s comfortable but snug. A secure harness is key for keeping you hooked-in during the entire move. The more secure your setup, the easier it is to focus on tweaking the kite and board for style. Responsive gear isn’t just about performance—it’s about helping you progress safely and efficiently.

Should you take lessons for hooked‑in raileys?

While it’s possible to learn a hooked-in raley on your own, taking lessons with an experienced instructor can drastically improve your learning curve. Aaron emphasizes the value of professional guidance: “You can learn hooked-in raileys on your own, but a good coach will help you fine-tune everything. They can spot things you might miss—like body position or kite control—that will make the difference between a half-pop and a clean trick.”

Kiteboarding is a sport that’s built on progressive steps, and having a coach ensures you don’t miss important foundational elements. An instructor will be able to break down each phase of the trick—helping you dial in the load and pop, kite positioning, and body mechanics, all while ensuring safety. By having a coach watch and provide real-time feedback, you’ll make quicker adjustments and avoid reinforcing bad habits.

In Tampa Bay’s variable conditions, the wind can be unpredictable. Having a coach who knows the local weather patterns and water conditions means you can maximize your session and progress more efficiently. You won’t waste time battling against the wind or learning in conditions that are too difficult. As Aaron says, “In Tampa Bay, you need to understand the wind to get the most out of each session. A good coach will teach you to read those conditions and use them to your advantage.”

Booking a kiteboarding lesson specifically for hooked-in raileys is the best way to stay safe, build proper technique, and accelerate your progress. Plus, lessons often include video analysis, so you can review your performance and track your improvements over time. Ready to level up? Book a one-on-one kiteboarding lesson now.

How to embed unhooked raley training in your ride routine?

To start landing your first hooked-in raley consistently, you need to build it into your routine. Begin with load-and-pop drills, which are critical for building the power you need for any freestyle trick. You can’t do the trick properly without having the pop down first, so make sure that’s solid. As Aaron says: “Focus on your load and pop first. Everything else comes from there.”

Once you’ve got the load-and-pop down, start working on getting more height and control. Aaron suggests: “Work on tweaking the kite after you pop. The kite’s position helps with style and how high you go.” Lowering the kite to about 10:00 or 10:30 will help you get more hang time and style as you improve. The key here is to keep the kite steady and controlled, not jerking it around too much.

Video review is another powerful tool. If you’re serious about improving, film your sessions. Watching yourself will help you identify what needs work—whether it’s popping higher, keeping the kite steady, or landing smoother. It’s an easy way to track your progress and see what’s improving and what needs more attention.

Finally, stay focused on the basics. Keep repeating the key moves until they feel automatic. Your goal is to get comfortable with the pop, kite control, and board position. Don’t try to rush it. With consistent practice and attention to detail, the trick will come together.

Where can you practice hooked‑in raileys in Tampa Bay?

If you're serious about learning hooked-in ralleys, we recommend practicing at Skyway Beach (east or west) and Fort DeSoto. Why? These spots offer the ideal conditions for freestyle training. Both are shallow and flat, making them perfect for beginners and intermediates. The flat water reduces the chance of edge catches, and the shallow conditions give you the confidence to try new tricks without worrying about deep water or unexpected falls. As Aaron puts it: “These locations are forgiving. Fewer edge catches, more space to work, and you’re not going to get stuck in deep water if you wipe out.”

Another advantage? You can easily walk out if something happens to your gear, which makes these spots even more beginner-friendly. Plus, these areas are always supported by the local community. You’ve got easy access to shops and kiteboarding support, making it an all-around safe and convenient environment to progress. Aaron adds, “When your community is close by, you’ve always got support. Whether you need a quick repair or some tips, everything’s right there.”

In addition to Skyway and Fort DeSoto, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are great options too. But for consistency, forgiveness, and community support, Skyway Beach and Fort DeSoto should be your go-to spots for mastering hooked-in ralleys.

Book Your Lesson & Gear Up for Success

If you're ready to master your first hooked-in raley, lessons are the fastest way to get there. Whether you're still getting comfortable with the load-and-pop or you’re ready to start tweaking your style, Elite Watersports offers personalized lessons tailored to your skill level. Our expert instructors will guide you through each step, giving you the feedback you need to make fast progress. Plus, in Tampa Bay's variable winds, having a local coach who understands the conditions can make all the difference.

Don’t wait to take your kiteboarding to the next level. Book your one-on-one kiteboarding lesson now and start refining your hooked-in raley with expert guidance.

Need the right gear to land your first trick? We’ve got you covered. Shop for kites and boards designed for freestyle tricks—built for smooth ralleys, steady control, and advanced performance. Shop kites and gear built for ralleys here.

Want more tips to level up your kiteboarding? Check out our Tips & Tricks Blog for expert advice, technique breakdowns, and progression hacks.

Ryan "Rygo" Goloversic