Travelling with a Surfboard

Travelling with a surfboard can be a real pain sometimes. First off, you’re more or less going to have to pay extra just to chuck your prized possession at the bottom of the plane – along with hundreds of other (damaging) luggage items. Secondly, the staff taking care of your surfboard may not understand just how fragile a piece of fibreglass is (which is totally fine) and proceed to ‘not’ handle with the love and care you would. Again, totally fine, as it’s not their job or responsibility to understand the intricate details of a surfboard. Thirdly, and finally, it can just be a nuisance. I reckon if you were to ask all the surfers on the CT and QS what the worst part about their job is, they’d say it’s the constant travelling with not only one surfboard, but upwards of five at a time. However, at the end of the day, if you happen to be at an airport with a surfboard, it means you’re going on a surf trip. So all sympathy is lost and replaced with jealous rage.

Here’s a list of some nice travel companions. You lucky duck!

Boardbags and surfsocks

It’s a matter of preference whichever one you go for, although I recommend a boardbag for an international trip and a surfsock for a domestic adventure. The reason is, you’re going to get a whole lot more padding with a boardbag then you are with a surfsock. Additionally, it’s far easier to get your surfboard in a bag than it is to put a sock on. Trust me. The other great thing about a boardbag is that you can literally use it as your suitcase and just stuff all your clothing items and toiletries wherever there is space. This means you’re technically only travelling with one bag. A win for the good guys…

Northcore Aircooled Shortboard Bag is a particularly good bag as it offers supreme protection and padding and allows plenty of space for shortboards, hybrid boards and that fish you like to have on you – just in case. It has an innovative tail vent, making the bag ‘Aircooled’, which allows air to circulate in the bag on hot days, prolonging your board’s life and minimising the risk of your wax melting.

You can never be guaranteed that your board won’t suffer a ding or a break when travelling, however, with the Northcore Aircooled Board Jacket, your surfboards have a fighting chance.

Travel Kit

Where do you plan on keeping your fins, wax, fin bolts, leash strings and key safe? In your Northcore Surfer Travel Pack, that’s where.  It’s a glorified pencil case that holds all the little – yet important stuff that you require for your surfing adventure. It’s extremely heavy duty and will provide enough protection for your fins. It’s also super compact, so if you decide to keep your fins in your boardbag down below, you can bring it on the plane with you. Oh, and it can fit your GoPro.

Repair Kit

I’m an optimist – no doubt about it. However, I understand there are going to be times where your surfboard is going to get a ding when travelling no matter what. It’s just the way it is unfortunately. It’s not the end of the world though. All you need to have with you (at all times) is a Sun Cure Polyester Fibrefill Repair Kit. The way it works is easy as well...

- Locate ding on your board

- Apply Sun Cure to ding

- Smooth over so it’s flush with popsicle stick provided

- Leave out in the sun for 5 minutes or until it’s hard/dry

- Pop your leash back on

- Get the wave of your life

It really is that simple.

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Now, go and enjoy yourself and make sure you get a photo of that barrel you apparently caught. Because if it’s not on Instagram for everyone to see, did it actually happen?

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@wetsuitoutlet