Airline board travel strategies

[bajoman]

Hi all, I’m looking for tips, advice, stories (good and bad), on the subject of airline travel with a board. I’ve never done it before but I’m getting to the point where I want to have my own along (despite the expense). Here’s some issues I have:
1. I’m scared to bring a poly board and even worried one of my epoxy-glassed board might show up at baggage claim with a big crunch somewhere. I’m considering getting a Surftech (Tuflite) so I don’t have to worry. We don’t need to go into the pros/cons of Tuflite boards as I already like the feel of EPS and there are a couple of Tuflite boards I usually rent and know I’m perfectly happy surfing on… Thoughts?
2. I usually prefer to longboard (9’0 to 9’4) or I should say I’m always happy on a longboard but often unhappy on a shortboard unless the conditions, size, power, shape, etc. are perfect. (I’m also always happy on my two mini-simmons type boards but have never had them out in anything over head-high, so I’m hesistant to use one of those as a one-board travel quiver). I might be wrong but I’m thinking bringing a longboard presents a whole lot of extra travel issues (getting through hotel hallways, strapping to shuttles and cabs, having to rent a car and bring along a strap kit, etc)? Would I be happy splitting the difference (long vs short) with a single-fin egg or retro type board around 6’8 to 6’10 ? I know Takayama has a couple shapes like that but I’ve never ridden one so I have no idea how they surf…

How do you guys do it? What are the specifics of your airline board travel?

[dtc]

If you are really concerned, you can buy hard case surfboard 'suitcases', although they are expensive. Probably not as much as a new board however! But enough wrapping and padding around the rails and nose is usually fine. I've seen 'normal' softbags with extra nose padding as well. There are plenty of sites if you google the issue. Bubble wrap and swimming 'noodles' cut up and taped on will usually do the job.

Longboards do present a problem. A lot of airlines have a maximum length they will take - hardly any will take over 9ft and some have lower limits eg 7ft. It depends on the airline and more specifically what aircraft they are flying.

So step one is to figure out the airline's requirements. Then go from there.

In terms of a board - another nice smaller epoxy board in longboard shape is the Walden mega magic (or mini magic) - the 6ft10 one for your needs. Like the Takayama but with a much bigger tail.

[bajoman]

No, I don't want a board suitcase as I still want to travel as light and mobile as possible, but I get the impression that getting a Surftech just for travel is unnecessary. So when you say a 'normal' bag you mean just a standard day bag with 5mm of padding and then noodle the rails and bubble wrap the deck and bottom and a poly board is good to go? I just get so bummed out by any dings and would hate to show up at a nice surf town with my own board only to not be able to use it or have to do a rushed Solarez job...
PR in December and I'm leaning toward my 5'11 poly Simster (my favorite and most versatile longboard substitute) with a bigger trailer fin to handle more size but not quite sure... (Never surfed PR before and I'll be at Jobos Beach in Aguadilla)
Still considering a 6'8-6'10 single fin egg or a 6'4 Bear Fat Wombat...
Do you always bring along a roof rack system, too?

[dtc]

A 10mm travel bag would be good, but if you have a 5mm bag already then you can just put in a bit more wrapping, bubble wrap etc. Obviously damage can still occur - if someone drops a suitcase from a distance onto your board then there isnt much that your wrapping can do. Noses and rails are the most vulnerable (take out your fins if you can of course). But if you are buying a bag, think about getting a 10mm one.

Check your travel insurance policy to make sure it covers sporting gear during transport (wont cover it during surfing, of course).

A roof rack system is a good idea, just those soft rack straps. You can use the noodles to pad the roof or roof rack bars as well, if its a concern.