Traveling with your surf equipment?

We surfers are inveterate travelers, we do not stop looking for new corners around the world where we can enjoy the sea and the waves. And there is nothing more wonderful to enjoy a surftrip than traveling with your surf equipment.

However, we all know numerous stories of surfboards being destroyed on the way and the fear we suffer every time we leave our boards packed on the airport conveyor belt.

In most cases, the airline will not cover damage, so it's important to make sure you protect your boards as best as possible. Below we answer the most common questions and give you some tips for traveling with your surfing equipment anywhere in the world:

Frequently asked questions about traveling with your surf gear

Is it safe to take my board on a plane?

With the increase in fans of surfing and surf tourism, it is increasingly common to see board cases in airports, and both the airlines themselves, as well as those in charge of transporting and placing luggage, are used to dealing with surfboards. surf. However, there can always be accidents and there is nothing worse than opening your case at the destination airport and finding your boards broken. So it is important to protect your material well to avoid misfortunes (see our tips below).

Can I take it on any plane?

It is important that check the baggage policies of the airline you are going to travel with. Some charge you per board, others limit the number of boards and some do not directly allow transporting surfboards. It is essential to review this before booking and your tickets. 

How much does it cost to travel with my surf equipment?

In addition to whether or not they allow surfboards to be transported, each airline has different policies regarding the fees they can charge for transport. Are They can range from free shipping to around €150 per bag. Be sure to double check the weight rates for the dates you will be traveling before purchasing.

If you want to have a summary of prices of each airline, consult our blog entry with the summary of prices of the main airlines.

What kind of surf bag should I take?

There are an infinite number of covers on the market, depending on the use we want to give it. There are even special cases with wheels, but they will really only be necessary if you are traveling with a lot of boards, and remember that the heavier the package, the higher the fee tends to be. Really, using a quality case and using protections inside, it will be enough.  Take a look at our Flysurf covers, very resistant for day to day and perfect for transporting one or two boards on your plane trips.

Tips for packing your surf gear

Choose the right case:

Choose a quality cover, with a hole to store the boards that you plan to take with you and a little more space for protection (and maybe some clothes/wetsuits). Take a look at our covers, perfect for all types of transport.

Take into account the keels:

NEVER leave the keels when packing your boards for a surf trip by plane. And make sure you don't forget them at home!

Leash:

It is important that you store the leash in a different compartment of your bag, or wrapped in clothing, to prevent it from pressing against your boards and leaving unsightly marks.

protection material:

There are numerous tricks to protect your surfboards in your case, but we are going to give you what we think it is. the best strategy to avoid any damage. Divide the protection elements into three parts:

• Nose and tail: They are the most delicate parts of the board and where the luggage rests when you stand it up, so special attention must be paid to them. Our recommendation is that you put extra protection in this area, putting towels or cushions/pillows at the ends of the table to cushion this area.
• Rails: Rails can be damaged when bags are moved. Purchase some "shapeable" material, such as pipe insulation or foam profiles, and attach them to the entire rail of the board (including nose and tail).
• Rest of the table (deck and bottom): Use bubble wrap to cover the rest of the table and avoid rubbing or impacts.

Separators:

If you are going to take more than one table (and even if you have put bubble wrap on each one), it does not hurt to put some type of separator between them. You can use towels or the same neoprene can be used (be careful with the zippers).

Put clothes in:

Traveling is expensive in itself, and usually even more so with your boards. So take advantage of the available space to put part of your clothes in the cover (t-shirts, swimsuits, etc.). This can save you checking in another suitcase and will give you extra protection to cover your boards.

Accessories:

In addition to fins and leash, remember that in many destinations it is not easy to get other surf accessories, so make sure you bring everything you need and even some extra of each one: fin wrench, extra screws, sun cream, neoprene etc

Weigh your bag before traveling:

Check how much your bag weighs and if it is within what your rate allows. Depending on the type of bag and how many boards you carry, you may end up with a heavy bag. So check this point to avoid scares at the airport. 

We hope these tips will be useful for you so that your surf equipment arrives safe and sound, and ready to enjoy a new adventure.