It is normal for KITESURF athletes in TARIFA to travel to other parts of Spain or other countries, to participate in kitesurfing competitions or to perfect the art. However, you should know that there are requirements to carry the equipment from one place to another, without damaging the kitesurfing equipment. Learn here how to travel with kitesurfing equipment without problems.
Traveling with a kite
To travel with a kitesurfing kite, it is best to buy a kiteboard bag, which allows you to carry this element in a compact way. Thanks to this type of bag, you can carry your kite as hand luggage, which will save you space and weight in the suitcase you are going to check in.
On our website we teach you how to travel with kitesurfing equipment so you can participate in all the kitesurfing courses in Spain that we teach. So, following the recommendations of the professionals will help you to have a smooth trip, with your kitesurfing equipment well protected and without having to pay so much for excess baggage.
Traveling with a kitesurf board
The board is perhaps the most complicated item to carry on a plane, due to its size. For this reason, it is important to choose the right suitcase in which to store it. Some sportsmen decide not to take the board when traveling on vacation, but if it is a special trip to practice the sport, it is best to add it to your luggage, so you will not have to pay for the rental of kitesurfing equipment.
A 150 cm suitcase will fit your board perfectly. Of course, you must consider the rest of the things you will have to include in your suitcase, as you cannot exceed the weight limit accepted by the airlines. These tips will teach you how to travel with kitesurfing equipment to spend less on the trip and be able to take with you the equipment to enjoy this sport.
How to carry your equipment
To travel with kitesurfing equipment, it is best to use a boardbag. This travel bag fits well with the equipment used in this sport, but you will have to know how to choose your boardbag. For example, if you have a 138 cm board, you will want to choose a 140 cm bag, which is tight but does not exceed the weight allowed by the airlines, which can happen if you choose a 150 cm bag.
As you learn how to travel with kitesurfing equipment you will realize that the most important thing is the size of the luggage. It is essential that in the suitcase fits all functional equipment for kitesurfing, so you can not forget the bars and harnesses, items that you can not carry in hand luggage. A type that can help you is to take advantage of the suitcases used by golfers, with this option you could avoid additional payments for carrying sports equipment on the plane.
Check with the airline
Not all airlines allow kitesurfing equipment to be carried on the plane. Therefore, it is important that before purchasing your airline ticket, you consult with the airline’s advisors about traveling with kitesurfing equipment.
The airlines’ website usually provides information on baggage conditions, which gives you an idea of whether you will be able to carry your kitesurfing equipment. Remember that luggage cannot exceed 23 kg, so that you do not have to pay extra. In addition, some airlines have size limits, so you should adjust the boardbag to the board.
How to pack your kitesurfing equipment
The way you pack your kitesurfing equipment can ensure that you travel without worrying about the condition in which your equipment will arrive at your destination. Since you will be traveling with a suitcase and a carry-on bag, make the most of the available space, por example, the leash is quiet small and can be packed anywhere. Some experienced athletes who have learned how to travel with kitesurfing equipment say that it is better to carry them as a carry-on bag.
On the other hand, the hard items should go in the suitcase that will go to the baggage area of the plane, that includes the bars and harnesses. Due to the materials these parts are made of, airlines consider them weapons and you will not be able to carry them in carry-on luggage. So try to make space between these items, so you can include clothes and shoes that you will wear on your trip.
For cases where sports equipment is not allowed, you could line the board with clothing. Others use the trick of carrying golf bags to carry the items, as this type of equipment does not pay on airplanes. These are some tips for traveling with kitesurfing equipment that we teach you in Kitesurfing Academy, but the best thing to do is to find an airline that allows you to carry your sports equipment without any problem.
How much does it cost to travel with kitesurfing equipment?
If you learn well how to travel with kitesurfing equipment, you can save a lot of money. The first thing you have to do is to pack the equipment well so that you can carry everything, and that you do not exceed the limit allowed by the airline. In addition, there are other tricks that will help you carry your gear without overpaying, for example, using golf bags.
Some airlines do not charge a surcharge for kitesurfing equipment, unless you exceed the 23 kg allowed in your bag. However, it is important that you check the policies of each company, because there are airlines that require an additional payment to the ticket, for carrying sports equipment.
The cost of carrying kitesurfing equipment can range from 20 € to 150 €. So, before buying your ticket, make sure that you have this baggage included, or, that you know how much you will have to pay to bring your kitesurfing equipment to your trip.
I’m Sergio Turégano and I’ve been practicing kite for 10 years. Since I was little I was passionate about the sea and I started to jump into the water with boards since I can remember, I’ve tried body, surf and windsurf but kitesurfing is my passion. I was champion of the Kitesurf TT:R Open World Championship in 2017 and I have been runner-up of Spain in the Junior category. Now I dedicate my life to enjoy kitesurfing as much as I can and teach others how to practice this amazing sport in Tarifa. I love to write about it and share all my tricks, tips and secrets about the kite world.