How to Prepare for the Ultimate Boardsport Trip

Surf uncrowded waves in the morning, then skate a little at noon, followed by a wakeboarding session in the evening. This might seem almost impossible, but with a little planning, anything is possible.

A lot of countries offer a lot off possibilities, and we all know Hawaii, France, and Bali. But there is a lot of gold to be struck out there. Italy has good waves, and mountains for Snowboarding along the coast, Denmark has good conditions for kite- and windsurfing and even surfing, and New Zealand has world-class waves and everything in between.

But how do you get the most boardsport mileage? A lot of factors come in to play. Hence we decided to put our heads together and come up with some things that you definitely need to think about before heading out onto the road.

Choose your Destination

Firstly, and this one can come across as kind of obvious, but it is fundamental that you choose the right destination. You can choose the well-know destinations, such as Canada for Snowboarding, Bali for surfing, or Barcelona for skateboarding. But it does come with a few drawbacks.

Popular Destinations

Shure, if you go to Hawaii, you will find waves, and some really good skate spots. You can even go Windsurfing or kitesurfing all in one day. But Hawaii is pricey, and it is very crowded and extremely competitive in the water. Even if you choose to get in the water before sunset, on a lesser know spot, chances are you won’t be alone (at least not for very long).

As we mentioned when a destination is in high demand, the prices tend to go up. Plane tickets, hotels, and even groceries can be more expensive in popular places. Often the prices on the property are much higher in these areas, and this can affect the overall pricing on most things.

The Lesser Known Destinations

As you plan your trip, it can be an idea to search out the areas that are a little less popular. Plane tickets and accommodation are not in as high demand and the overall pricing is often lower.

And in contrast to the popular destination, it is not as crowded. Try surfing Malibu, Snapper, or Pipeline when the waves are firing, and chances are that you will not get that many waves. But if you surf a world-class break in Scotland, you might only be surfing with a handful of locals at best.

It might also be a little more fun and exciting to travel to the more unknown parts of the world. A big part of traveling is to find some hidden gems, and seeking out into the wild can often be more entertaining and thrilling.

Make Arrangements

Search for cheap flights and accommodation online, and remember to find accommodation that not only suits your needs but also choose the location to be near all the good spots. Also, make sure to fill out all paperwork related to your travel. This means a visa, insurance, and perhaps you will need some sort of medical attention before you go.

If you wish to book a trip to the local attractions or visit some of the local sights, make sure you book in advance, and if not check out the pricing and opening hours beforehand.

Another good thing is to keep transportation in mind. If you want to travel with public transportation, check out the pricing, routes, and departures, etc. in advance. Some spots are based near public transportation, while others require a car, boat or even a plane to reach.

If you want to rent a car or boat, make the proper arrangements in advance also. Remember to choose a car that fits your needs, as you will sometimes be spending a lot of time in your car, filled with boards and wetsuits. A convenient method of transportation is definitely nice to have.

Know the Weather

Checking the weather forecast is key, and no, we don’t mean a quick glance at your phone to see what the temperature is. What you actually want to find out is how the weather changes in the area, how the weather normally acts in the time period you will be spending, and even how the tides work in the local surf spots.

As you get closer to your departure, you can get an overview of how the weather is going to look approximately for the entire time you will be traveling. How likely are you to experience rain? Will there be heavy winds? Will the skies be clear or overcast and is there any cause for concern?

Pack Everything in Advance

Being well prepared is important for several reasons. Remember that old board bag that your friend borrowed. Thats right, you need it before the flight, and if you pack on the day of departure there really isn´t much time to get all the things that you need.

Packing in advance forces you to reflect on what you will need for your journey. It all so gives you enough time to pack everything nice and well organized. When you have plenty of time to pack in advance you decrease the opportunity for errors. You have time to optimize, and also help your fellow travelers pack for the adventure.

Often times you do not travel alone. You travel with your spouse, family, and friends and it’s challenging when you pack light but our companions don’t. It is also annoying to find that everybody has brought the same book, and on top, everybody brought 10 packs of surf wax. Try to coordinate what to bring to avoid carrying excess weight.

Remember to Bring the Essentials

Moving on, make sure you have all the gear you will need for your travel, from a wetsuit straight through to your surfboard and wax for the board as well, however, you may be lucky enough to stay in a warmer climate with lovely warm water, where a rash vest and shorts could be your ideal outfit.

Bring the paperwork this means, cash, contact information, insurance documents, and perhaps a good book for the plane ride. Oh, and always remember your passport.

Now that you have all of that down, you may want to start assembling all of the supplies you will need to take with you. If you are going to a remote area or as a “just in case” precaution be sure to pack a first-aid kit in your car for any little scratches or minor injuries that you may incur while in the water. Next, do not forget your sunscreen, after sun, lip balm, and any other sun protection products that you may need in order to protect your skin while you are out hitting the surf.

Be sure to pack your boardsport accessories. This means whatever you will need in order to have fun. Remember a surfboard leash, wax, wetsuit, a skateboard, and/or Snowboard as well.

Finally, be sure to have a safe place to store all of your valuables while traveling and surfing, such as car keys, wallets, cell phones, or even just your towel, this will help give you peace of mind to relax, kick back and surf your worries away.

Bring food, Coffe and Snacks

Of course, there are plenty of other things to think about before you head out on your mission, but do not forget the coffee, especially if you have decided to rouse yourself at some unheard of an hour early in the morning in order to get to the airport before the break of dawn. While you are getting your first cup of coffee in your system, be sure to fill a thermos with some extra coffee for when you need to kill time at the airport (it’s very expensive), or when its time for a little snack break, this brings us to our next port of call, snacks.

Food for the road is a time-honored tradition, each family has its own way of doing it and there really is no right or wrong way of preparing for a road trip but you do have to have snacks. Whether you pack sandwiches and crisp packets, or more wholesome foods such as pasta or muffins, or if you recognize your inner consumer and head to your nearest takeaway joint to fuel up for the road, a good trip simply isn’t a trip if munching doesn’t take place.

Be sure to pack yourself plenty of water in order to keep yourself hydrated after traveling so long, You do not want to land in your destination only to be too tired, busted, and jet-lagged to surf. This is why you need to stay on top of your hydration situation and keep drinking water.

We hope this helps you plan your next boardsport mission. Now that you know what you need, where and when are you going?