Flying with my surfboard?

[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.

[Hugh Jardon]

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.

[Superstar Punani]

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.

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.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Please. Try surfing with an airplane.

Now that's extreme.

[Ripzalot]

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.