If all you are doing so far is jumping, I'd gain more experience and kite control by starting with the basic tricks. Do backrolls, general edge and popping, hooked in raileys and front rolls. There is a progression to all things. Go for unhooking if you like, but you'll probably enjoy the basic tricks more and you will gain confidence in your abilities. Unhooking is not as easy as it looks. I've been kiting for a number of years now and have got the un-advanced tricks down-pat but still struggle with un-hooking, but that's just me.
What kites do you have? Unhooking is much more accessible on C type kites than most bows. I used to be daunted by unhooking on my old switchblades, but on my C4s it's so much easier and more fun (and hopefully this will translate to even a scrap of style and skill this summer).
Make sure you know and test the right leash setup for your kite/bar. Also, attach your leash to the front or side of your harness, and not the back.
Allow more room downwind than you usually would for tricks.
Beyond that, go for it. If you prepare with safety in mind then the worst that can happen is that you drop the bar, crash your kite, pull it back in, and then, as you relaunch and ride away, you gain a new level of respect for those riders who unhook with power and flair.
You should be able to do a hooked in backroll and have the kite end up where you want it after the rotation before you start unhooking. Kite control is key because where a minor miss-steering input with your kite half sheeted out is not a problem, but with the kite unhooked and fully powered will smash you and tomohawk hard before you realize you've done it. Get a good feel for timing pop before you start unhooking too. I began unhooking before I had this sussed and it caused me no end of pain in the first couple session. I would setup, come off edge, unhook, and then try to gradually rengage my edge, get yanked of edge and faceplant. I've seen it in videos million times but didn't realize the once unhoked, it's just a quick cut upwind to load and pop rather than fully edging again. All it took ws someone pointing out that it's a quick motion rather than a slow one.
I've just started to unhook and some basic tricks like a backroll are easier, look and feel better when unhooked. Once you've got kite control sussed than have a go. Nothing is as hard as it seems.
Just wanted to add mate don't let "I'm be only been kiting for a year"stop you! I have been kiting 4 months and have started, landing 90% of my railey, backrolls and even an sbend, just gotta give it a crack and play it safe! Baby steps (but be ready for progression!)
dont get ahead of yourself, heaps more progression and fun to be had hooked in still after sussing out boosts/pops!! master (i.e land at least %90 of the time) back loops, front loops, hooked raileys, back rolls, front rolls, double back loops - all left and right. refine your style with arial transitions and maybe even loop transitions, throw in grabs and try landing toeside. All which will aid you in advancing to unhooked in a safer less complicated manner ;) truth is chicks on the beach cant tell the difference anyway..
