HOW TO PACK YOUR SURFBOARD AND WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR SURF TRIP?

 SURFBOARD PACKING TIPS

 Your surfboard is the most important part of your surfing equipment and you have got to make sure that your board gets to your destination in one piece and un-dinged. Try not to finish your surf trip before it has already started! This will only apply when taking your board long distance - no need to pack up like this for the 10 min drive down to your local spot.
You will need:

• Bubble Wrap of similar
• Commercial Fin box of Polystyrene Blocks (For boards with non removable fins)
• Fin Key (for removable fins)
• A good quality Surfboard Bag

First off you need to take care of your fins. These are probably the most likely part of the board to get damaged in transit if they are non removable.

Protect Your Fins

If you have removable fins then remove them. (Yep - no surprises here!). Wrap them in a towel and they can be packed in your boardbag along with your board.
Do Not Forget To Pack Your Fin Key! You will hate yourself to the end of your days if you arrive at an isolated spot, it's epic and you cannot fix your fins back on. Your mates will not be able to stop laughing etc. Anyway, back to the point. Do Not Forget To Pack Your Fin Key!
For non removable fins you have to make sure that they are well protected. The easiest way is to buy a commercial Fin Protector. A Fin Box is a protective cover which fits over the top of your fins and keeps them safe. Commercial Fin Protectors are pretty cheap and well worth getting 

Commercial Fin Protection 

If you do not want to spend the money on one then just make your own. If you have some polystyrene blocks around (you might have just bought a new tv?) then use them to fashion your own. If not go to an electrical store / warehouse and ask for a freebie.

Protect Your Surfboard

If you have a decent surfboard bag then you don't need to go mad with the packing. We suggest getting a 10mm thick boardbag as a minimum for traveling and a board sock for a little extra protection. To be extra safe pay the extra money and get a hard surfboard case.

Hard Surfboard Travel Case 

You can go mad and bubble wrap your entire board if you like but there is probably no need. There are some areas of your board that are prone to damage while traveling which should be protected. The diagram below shows the areas that need most attention. The nose and tail need full protection. The rails should have some protection. The deck and bottom of the board can be protected for peace of mind.

Once you have protected the fins and applied the bubble wrap to the areas you want to protected then you can slip the board into the boardbag. For extra security when packing use some of your clothing as extra padding. If you are taking a wetsuit then use it to protect the tail of your board once it is in the boardbag.
It's a good idea not to have anything hard in the boardbag that could be crushed against the board while in transit. This means removing your leash before packing. 
That's about it really. Just make sure that you don't go too mad with the packing or you'll be paying extra for your excess luggage weight. One last thing - make sure your boardbag has TOP LOAD / FRAGILE on it if it does not already. Make it clear with a marker pen or acrylic paint. Don't be afraid to go to town on this one.
PerfectWave.com have a great guide on how to pack your board for travelling. Take a look and make sure you have got everything covered.

More at: http://www.surfing-waves.com/travel/pack_surfboard.htm

TAKING YOUR SURF BOARD BY AIR

The first thing you need to do when booking a flight for a surfing vacation is check the airline surfboard policy. Every airline has its own rules when it comes to taking boards. These are constantly changing so we will not be listing them all here. There are rules with all luggage such as a weight limit per item and also a restriction on dimensions. If you have a longboard it may be that the airline will refuse to take the board altogether - you really do not want to have to leave your board at the airport at the start of your trip. Here is what you need to check:

• Is your board within the maximum dimensions?
• Is your packed boardbag within the maximum allowed weight for a single item of luggage?
• Does the airline charge a flat fee per boardbag?
• Is the board covered in your luggage allowance?
• Do you have to advise the airline that you will be bringing a board prior to checking in?

If you have checked the facts before you leave for the airport then you know what to expect. There are some things that you can do to try and make the trip go smoother.

• Make sure your surfboard is packed well to prevent damage in transit. See the surfboard packing guide for details.
• If the airline charges per boardbag then pack all your boards in the same bag.
• Arrive early and check in as soon as you can. Sometimes this can be the difference in being charged or not,
• Dress well, be polite and smile. Good manners, a smart appearance and being friendly can go a long way with a check-in person who is finishing up a rotten 10 hour shift.
• You have already found out what the airline should charge - anything less is a bonus!

Don't be surprised if you have to sign a damage waiver for your board at check-in. This is now pretty standard due to the fragile nature of the boards. (It's a little cheeky to ask you to pay extra to take a surfboard and then not accept liability for any damage caused in transit - damn those corporate fatcats!) 

Talking of damage, it has become much harder to get insurance for a surfboard and many of the excess premiums demanded are just not worth it. Check your household insurance - your board may just be covered by your Accidental Damage cover.
Not taking our advise seriously? take a look at this nightmare airline surfboard story:

"Just wanted to give every one a heads up. I live on the east coast and recently
took a trip to San Diego, then to Hawaii. When I left from SD to go to Hawaii
the lady at the UNited Airlines baggage counter informed me that starting may
5th United changed their baggage policy (thats code for "we're getting
stingy"). She charged me 100 dollars PER surfboard (they were all in one bag)
and then another hundred for my bag being overweight. Yes...thats right folks... a total of 500 dollars to get my boards from San Diego to Hawaii. 
My friends who took the same trip as me, but with Hawaiian Airlines only got charged 80 dollars. Just wanted to let every one know in case they are flying United sometime soon, because this charge almost ruined my trip!" 

More at: http://www.surfing-waves.com/travel/airline_surfboard.htm
 

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR SURF TRIP?

You've booked your ticked and you are ready to go - but what are you going to take and how are you going to ensure that when you arrive the only break that you find will be the one that you will spend your trip surfing. We'll be assuming that you are taking a full on trip and not strapping your board to your bike and cycling to your local beach.
The old favorite of "Tickets, Money & Passport - the rest is garnish" does not quite hold true for your average surf trip. Here is the list of essentials if you do not want to be caught short.

• At least one Surfboard, the more the better. You might need a spare if you break one. You might need a different board for different conditions. The more the merrier! (just don't ask for help carrying them all)
• Surf Wax. Enough for your trip and some extra to share with your mate who has forgotten their wax.
• Ding repair. Don't spoil your trip with a ding that you cannot repair. A small ding repair kit is inexpensive and does not take up much room.
• Spare fins and board leash. Easy to replace - hard to find in the middle of nowhere.
• The correct surfwear for the trip. Do you need a wetsuit where you are going? Are you surfing a coral reef and may need booties? Have a think about what you will need to make the best of your trip.
• Sunscreen. Maximise your time in the water without a trip to the emergency room for third degree burns!
• Visa? Do you need a visa for the country you are visiting. Some countries will give you a visa upon arrival for a certain amount of time. Others will pop you back on the plane home straight away if you do not have the right visa - FIND OUT BEFORE YOU GO!
• Don't forget your surf medical kit
• Oh yeah - Tickets, Money & Passport!

This guide really depends on where you are going. If you will be staying somewhere where surf shops are abundant then you have nothing to worry about in terms of equipment. Take your board and you are away. 
Anything else can be bought while you are there. 
Next you need to pack up safely. There is nothing worse than arriving at your surfing destination to find that the single surfboard you packed has magically (with the aid of a nice baggage handler) changed into two smaller surfboards...

And now, when you are finally ready, you can just go...

More at: http://www.surfing-waves.com/travel/pack_for_surf_trip.htm