Traveling With Wakeboard Gear | Pro Tips

Wakeboarding can be a lot of fun, and part of that fun is taking it with you when you travel. There are so many great wakeboarding spots around the world that it wouldn’t be right not to take it with you. But there are many risks involved, like the possibility that it could get stolen or damaged in transit. So, how can you travel and keep the wakeboard gear you store so beautifully at home, safe on the road?

Airlines have different rules about transporting wakeboard gear, and it could incur additional costs in some cases. You should check the airline’s baggage policy before you travel and, if possible, take it as carry-on baggage to keep it safe. You can also put it in a regular bag to protect it.

Navigating through airline policies and ensuring your gear arrives intact can improve your overall traveling experience. Let’s look at some tips and guidelines for traveling with wakeboard gear, specifically when taking your wakeboard on a plane.

Can I Bring a Wakeboard on a Plane?

Most airlines will permit you to take your wakeboard on a plane, but you shouldn’t just assume that would be the case. There are a few reasons why it could be risky:

1. Some airlines charge an additional fee for sporting gear. There are a few that could charge $100 or even more as a special baggage fee, which could increase your travel costs significantly.
2. It’s possible that your wakeboard could get damaged by the baggage handlers if you don’t pack it properly (and sometimes even if you do).
3. Wakeboards are expensive pieces of sporting equipment, so theft isn’t out of the question either.

So, how can you avoid these issues? Here are a few tips.

 

Check The Airline’s Policies

If you plan to travel with your wakeboard, check with the airline first. Before you pay for your ticket, go through the baggage policies or ask your travel agent about it. Some will charge an additional fee to transport your wakeboard or may have special packing requirements.

Many wakeboarders get past the additional fee by declaring the wakeboard as a waterski since surfboards tend to cost more to take on board a plane than waterskis. There are even users in online forums who declared their wakeboards as golf clubs to save a few dollars. This is not recommended, though, as many airline officials can be pretty strict about their baggage rules.

 

Use A Special Wakeboard Bag

Transporting your wakeboard is much easier (and safer) with a proper wakeboard bag. There are various kinds, but when it’s for traveling, you should opt for a suitable bag with sturdy handles and plenty of padding.

Whether you’re carrying it with you or checking it, the board can easily get damaged. A robust and padded bag will help avoid the scratches, dents, and dings that can occur on planes.

Pack Your Wakeboard Strategically

When packing your wakeboard gear, take care to place your wakeboard, bindings, and other accessories strategically. You can add padding by placing towels or clothing around your kit to create a cushioning layer, reducing the risk of damage caused by shifting during transport. Distribute the weight evenly to prevent unnecessary strain on any particular part of the wakeboard bag.

You can also use this technique in another type of carry case. For example, if you have a suitcase that’s large enough, you can easily add padding with pillows, clothing, or towels to protect it. Just don’t try to hide the wakeboard this way since it will be clearly visible to security staff.

 

Consider Carrying Your Wakeboard with You

It’s an unfortunate fact that airlines don’t always take care of our luggage as we expect them to. We don’t see what happens after we check our bags, and mistakes can happen. Even though less than 1% of baggage gets lost or damaged by airlines, you don’t want your wakeboard to be part of that statistic.

A simple mistake can cause someone to drop your wakeboard or place another heavy item next to it in just the wrong position, causing damage.

Even worse, prying eyes could notice your wakeboard and decide that it could fetch them a few spare dollars at the local pawn shop.

That’s why it’s a good idea to carry your wakeboard gear with you if it’s at all possible. Not all airlines allow this and require you to check any sporting goods, so look closely at the airline’s baggage policies. You can also ask the baggage clerk if it would be possible to carry it on the plane with you, and it’s surprising how many of them will allow it.

 

The Alternative: Don’t Travel with Your Wakeboard Gear

As we can see, there are ways to take your wakeboard and gear on a plane, but it can be quite a hassle. Yes, we tend to be attached to our sporting equipment, and a wakeboard is no exception. It just feels better to use your own board.

But is carrying your wakeboard with you really worth the risk? The additional costs and possibility of damage or theft aren’t always justifiable.

Most wakeboarding hotspots allow you to rent boards and gear, often at a fraction of the price of transporting the equipment on a plane and without the risks. It might be worth searching the web for wakeboard rental options at your destination and finding out if it would be viable.

It’s also a good idea to read some reviews of the establishments to find out if they take proper care of their equipment before you make your final decision. You don’t want to leave your gear at home just to find that the rentals are low quality or damaged, which will tarnish your travel experience considerably.

 

Conclusion

It’s always risky to travel with your wakeboard gear, and it requires careful planning and strategic thinking. You should seriously consider simply renting equipment at your destination rather than traveling with it. Still, if you want your own gear, it is possible to have a smooth, stress-free trip if you use the right approach and follow the airline’s guidelines. They are there for a reason.