How Hard/Easy is it to Air Travel with a surfboard?

Question

If you go on vacation is it better to fly with your board or rent when you get there?

Answer 1

I've carried my board with me in the past but don't do it anymore.  It costs about $80 each way (except for a Pope Bi-sec), and unless you have a shortbord and a good board shipping crate, it's a real pain.  Usually the baggage handlers don't take special care and must be loading things on top of the board.  It's even worse if you change planes and the boards get packed and unpacked again.  Last time I brought a longboard back from Orange County to Maryland the nose got trashed inside a well packed crate.

If you surf contests it's a different story but I believe it's much better to just rent wherever you go.  You might have a slight problem finding a good board similar to what you normally ride, but in most popular areas you can get close.  I was recently in Hawaii and found a Greek Stylemaster just like what I normally ride, except it was a Surftek, for $20 a day.  Don't rent from the surf schools on the beach though as they seldom have quality boards.  I took another trip to Australia a few years back and it would have been a nightmare carrying boards if I hadn't been able to rent.

Answer 2

When flying, 8 times out of 10, my board(s) had been damaged.  The airlines don't care about your boards.  I have never, not once, been reimbursed for any damages done, no matter how upset I was.  Sitting in the baggage terminal, crying on the floor, my fav board absolutely smashed.  They make you sign a waiver when you check in.  Don't let them open your bag if you can help it, I've had the unfortunate experience of having them charge me per board instead of per bag.  Getting to your destination with boards can really suck.

Answer 3

This is what i do when i plan on going somewhere to surf. I call up some of the closest surf shops to where i'll be staying, and make sure they're going to be able to rent me a decent board. I would strongly suggest you not flying with your board. The luggage dudes treat baggage like c**p, and your board is bound to get some gnarly dings. Im pretty sure you cant carry on a surf board either, but even if you could, can you imagine having to lug that thing through the plane!

Answer 4

Mike P is right.  I've taken my boards to Costa Rica, SoCal, and Spain before and have been fortunate, but not always so lucky.  Rent a board, it will less stress and worry on you, less bulk to have to carry to and from the airports, and gives you the opportunity to try out some different board styles and lengths.  Certain boards are not conducive for every locale.  Just think, if something happens to your board, what are you going to do then?  Good Luck Bro!

Answer 5

its a pain in the@SS

Answer 6

I have flown with my boards quite a few times and have not any significant problems (knock on wood).  A lot of it is how you pack your board though.  I wrap my rails in that foam insulation tubing you can get from the hardware store and make a cap for my nose and tail out of cardboard.  If I am taking wetsuits they get packed with my board to cushion the top and bottom.  I usually come out of the deal with some small pressure dings but that is about all.

It can be costly to fly with them so research your airlines before you book.  Check their websites under the excess baggage section.  They all charge something.  Some are reasonable, some are not.  Southwest charges $50 each way per bag, some airline charge up to $80 per board.

I think there is usually a break down of what it costs for each airline somewhere on Surfline, maybe in the travel section.

Answer 7

If you do a plane it's will get pretty, well... bad. Just rent one.