Taking Windsurfing Kit on Holiday

If you're planning a windsurfing holiday you've got two options. Hire kit in resort or take your own kit with you. As a windsurfing and watersports holiday specialist I do often get asked how you go about taking your kit on holiday with you.

Below I've tried to summarise what's involved in taking your kit with you. It'll help you make the important decision as to whether you hire kit or take your own. There is of course pros and cons to both.

Can I take windsurfing kit with me?
Simple answer is yes - but there is a limit to how much (unless you want to pay a small fortune).

How much kit can I take?
It's all dependent upon the airline you're flying with. However as a rule of thumb many will say the maximum luggage allowance you're allowed to take is 50kg - but this includes your normal clothing etc.

So if you relate that to how much kit

A typical board (such as a JP Super Sport 109 Pro) weighs 6.2kg
Add a board bag
3 sails
Sail bag
Boom
Mast

Is probably going to weigh in at about 25kg. That leaves you about 25kg max for all your extras. Don't forget you might also want a wetsuit, boots and a harness. To help you relate this to what you normally take on holiday - you normally have a 20kg allowance for your suitcase.

Of course you just need to do the maths on weight. It's more than possible to take 2 boards with you i.e. a wave and a slalom, just need to think through the weight.

Is it safe to take my windsurfing kit on a plane?
Yes, providing you're sensible and pack it correctly. I'd definitely recommend getting the following:

* Board Bag which you put your board, boom and 2 piece mast in
* Sail Quiver Bag to put your sails in
* Kit bag which can be for all your extras and normal luggage

Board bags and sail bags are going to protect most things and don't forget your board is pretty durable anyway.

How much will it cost to take my windsurfing kit on holiday?
Again it does depend on the airline so this is just a general rule of thumb. As a guide a short haul flight (such as Lanzarote) will cost £30 per bag (up to 32kg per bag) and a long haul flight (such as Dom Rep or Cape Verde) will cost £60 per bag.

Each airline charges differently and it's all governed by weight - but if you allow for the above you wont' go far wrong.

You pay per bag - so make sure you squeeze everything into as few a number of bags as possible.

Do's:

• Prebook at least a week in advance
• Take out insurance for all of your kit - separate to your normal holiday insurance
• Make sure you know you can store your kit securly when you get to your resort
• Make sure you know how you're going to transport it from the airport to resort
• Make sure your kit is well packed with no lose ends / straps etc

Don't

• Just turn up at the airport with your kit

What to do at the airport:
When you arrive at the airport you'll need to check in as normal at the check-in desk. Tell them you have prebooked extra luggage and describe what it is. They will direct you to a special area for oversize items. Take your windsurfing kit to the oversize luggage area (after you have checked in). From there they will take your kit and ensure it's loaded onto the plain. Make sure it is well labelled.

Don't forget:
You also need to plan how you're going to get your windsurfing kit to resort. You'll probably need to be hiring a car. Make sure you book one with a roof rack. Check before you go - don't leave it until you get to resort. Alternatively you could take a blow up roof rack with you.

AND - don't forget you're going to need some roof rack straps to tie your kit to the car.

Some airport transfer services will be able to take your kit but again its very important to check before you go.

Taxi's with roof racks can be booked in some resorts - again do so before you go.

For more help and advice please feel free to contact me at Not Just Travel and I'll be happy to help.