Flying with my surfboard?

Ok, so I got the go-ahead to bring my surfboard on the upcoming NOAA cruise... bouncing from San Diego through the Pacific coast of Central America.

Now I have to get it from San Francisco to San Diego. I have a pretty wimpy board bag that I don't think will suffice for airline travel, and I don't really want to buy a big burly one unless I really need to.

What's the scoop on shipping them? Any other options I should look at?

Of course the other option is just renting one wherever I end up, but if I can have my own then I want my own.

Get bubble wrap at a packaging store. Cover your whole baord with it and tape it up nice and tight. I would use 2 layers. Then put it in the bag. Save it for the return trip. Sounds like an awesome opportunity. Don't count on rental boards south of San Diego.

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Originally Posted by hop

Ok, so I got the go-ahead to bring my surfboard on the upcoming NOAA cruise... bouncing from San Diego through the Pacific coast of Central America.

Now I have to get it from San Francisco to San Diego. I have a pretty wimpy board bag that I don't think will suffice for airline travel, and I don't really want to buy a big burly one unless I really need to.

What's the scoop on shipping them? Any other options I should look at?

Of course the other option is just renting one wherever I end up, but if I can have my own then I want my own.

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Domestic flights are more of a hassle b/c they'll find ways to bend you over I think $80 o/w was the going rate, regardless of distance.

You can probably Fedex/UPS them for $50. Check out some eBay board listings that do offer shipping to get the going rate.

If it helps at all, I can bring your board from SF to LA next time I head there (once or twice a month), and leave it at my South Bay pad. The only prob would be how to get it from LA to SD.

Please. Try surfing with an airplane.

Now that's extreme.

sometimes you can get lucky with just a daybag and some padding. sometimes you dont. a good travel bag might be a worthwhile investment if you plan to fly with your board (or two) more than a couple times. i have a nice double that cost about $125 (factory price) that i've used for 8 years now and its still going strong. well worth the peace of mind.

also, are your fins removeable? if not, maybe give more thought to a travel bag. a ding is one thing, even a full-on gouge can be repaired well enough, but a broken fin is a tripkiller.

good on ya for bringing the board! i hope to see some TRs from central america. :)