How to Pack Your Shortboard for an Airplane Trip

"When I picked up my surfboard bag at the Honolulu terminal, I took my boards out to check them. I had both surfboard noses broken about 6 inches from the tip. Baggage handlers are not always kind to us surfers," says Timmy Reyes, O'Neill Surf Team rider.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Women's Athletic Swimsuits
• Sunscreen
• Adhesive Traction Pads
• Board Shorts
• Surf Leashes
• Surf Waxes
• Surfboard Bags
• Surfboards
• Surfing Rash Guard
• Surfing Wet Suits

1. Remove the wax from your board.

2. Take out the fins if they're removable, or put on a fin box if they're not.

3. Slide your board into a sock.

4. Place your board inside a padded, heavy-duty travel bag.

5. Add foam padding or bubble wrap to protect the nose, rails and tail.

6. Buy a small lock for your zippers to keep airport employees from opening your bag.

7. Throw in a travel ding repair kit with some fiberglass, resin, catalyst and sandpaper.

8. Pray that the baggage gods are good to you.

Tips & Warnings

• "Throw your extra T-shirts and towels into the empty spaces of your surfboard bag for a little extra protection," suggests Timmy.
• Hang out by the oversize baggage claim area so you can watch the baggage handlers as they unload your bag, or retrieve it before it gets smashed in a corner by a cart or a set of golf clubs in a hard case.
• Call the airlines to see if they charge per board, and how much.
• Airlines will try to charge exorbitant fees for your surfboard(s).
• No matter how well you pack your board, you run the risk of severe damage when traveling by air.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 8/1/2006 Double board bag, the ones you see on line, two finless boards in one sock, two more finless boards in another sock, then get one of those over size socks for a long board and wedge both the smaller socks into it. Then get the duct tape out and wrap it all up to make it look like one board. Then place it into your double board bag, along with your towels and fishing rods, pillows work well for protection.

You always have to get the bag scanned before checking it in, the guys scanning the bags could care less about the number of boards you have, they're looking for terrorist stuff. Go to the counter with a claim that you have only one surfboard, or even one sailboard. If they request you to open it up, it will appear that there is only one board - one really thick one. Sounds a little bit much, but it works.

on 11/22/2005 Use foam pipe insulation for packing your rails, nose and tail. You can find it at any hardware store and it's cheap.