Travelling with a board.

[Johnny B]

Hi ho folks.

Right, well I have saved up a loada cash and plan to spend it on a european surf trip. This plan is still at the drawing board stage and I have a long way to go before I make any concrete plans. Whatever happens, wherever I go I'll be travelling with public transport.

My question: How feasible would it be to essentially backpack parts of Europe (Portugal/Spain?France) with my own board? Would I just be better off hiring boards at spots?

Any other tips or opinions on this "plan" are welcome. Thanks.

...JB...

[pat42]

If you're travelling with a shortboard, it's not really a problem travelling on buses and trains.

If you've got a great big log, you'd be better off renting wherever you go, but could get expensive

[Johnny B]

Nah, it's only wee, a 5'8", but my board bag adds a bit of bulk.

As far as I see it the problems are as follows:

-It's gonna be bulk I have to carry around everywhere!
-I doubt i'll be able to leave it around many places (dunno what crime is like in parts of europe, but I wouldn't leave me board unattended here in the UK). It'll make doing stuff like just grabbing coffee difficult.
-I'll be travelling alone so I'll never have anyone to look after it while I'm doing somethin'.

Hmm...the more i think about this the less possible it seems, while at the same time the more appealing the idea becomes (and the more I think I'll regret it if I don't do it while I can). Has anyone got any experience in this kinda thing that they could perhaps share?

Thanks ...J...

[WhiteShark]

like pat said, a shortboard no problem.

bring your board, what's a surfer in a surftrip without is own surfboard?

and in many spots you wont find boards to rent.

is you're coming to portugal let me know

[pat42]

Hmm...the more i think about this the less possible it seems,

Eh???

I think you're making it into a problem.........I travelled across Java in Indo with a 6'6, a record bag with over 50 records in (heavy), my backpack that weighed nearly 20kg and a daypack that was full to overflowing!!

I could hardly walk with all the weight, and sometimes it was a hassle, but it wasnt impossible!

Travelling in Europe is a lot easier. I often go on little trips to the North of Spain and I've never had a problem when I've used public transport

You'll be staying in hostels or hotels, wont you?

You can leave your board there while you go and do stuff or if you're in a bar coffeshop, just ask the people next to you or the staff, to look after it if you need to go and piss.

If you're on a campsite, you can leave it at the reception while you're away from your tent

Stop making excuses

[Johnny B]

Hey, thanks!

I need someone to tell me to stop making excuses!

I've got the cash to hostel if i need to but I'm a miser at heart and so will be planning on camping when I can. I have a super lightweight tent that takes up no space so that'll help.

I might just go and try and blag it, I like adventure and just taking things if as they come. What's the worst that could happen!? Have everything stolen and have to swim back across the channel! Bah...it'll be reet. Hmm...I've nothing keeping me in England, all my mates have buggered off and I'm going mad from lonliness, boredom and a hrorrible lack of surf!

Hmm...I'll report back with advancements. In the mean time any advice would be super!

...J...

[pat42]

I'd prefer camping over hostels any day!!

One thing I'd suggest is to do a bit of research as to the type of wave you'd prefer surfing and base yourself at that spot.

I know it's tempting and exciting to see as much as possible, but I've had the best times getting to know one spot only, that way you'd get to know people in the area and maybe hook up with someone who has transport to take you to little secret spots

[Stone Fox]

Here's another idea, if you've got a licence, buy a cheap diesel and drive. Chunnel / ferry to france, cruise down the coast of light, accross northern spain and down into portugal.