Travelling Abroad With Your iSUP

Everyone knows the beauty of having an inflatable paddle board is the fact that they are super easy to store and transport.

But...have you ever actually travelled with your iSUP?

Did you follow these golden rules? 

If you plan to take your iSUP abroad, these handy tips will helps save you money, protect your board and make sure you have a hassle free SUPing time...

1. Check if you can fly with the SUP as hold luggage and buy your own insurance.
   This means should anything happen on the way to the airport, in the airport all the way until you return home, your board is insured.
   
2. Make sure you wrap the accessories in the iSUP to protect them.
   Pumps, paddles and fins are robust, but we don't know how much or a battering these items take getting into the hold of a plane. Rather than take the risk, roll them up in your SUP and then put it in the bag. 
   
3. Always make the most of the space in your bag - fill those gaps!
   You pay for a 23kg bag, make sure you get your monies worth. Get this beach towels, swimming masks, umbrellas and beach toys in there. Stuff 'em in!
   
   
4. Keep an eye on the board pressure. Heat & sunlight will increase its pressure.
   In the heat, particularly in direct sunlight, the pressure inside an inflated board can increase by 1psi per hour. This can double when in the high 20s. Make sure to keep your board cool, in the shade and keep an eye on the PSI. Best to under inflate.
    
5. Protect your fin by storing the board on its side or upside down. 
   There's nothing more inviting for the little ones than a board on a beach. It just screams "jump on me"!
   If you have your board fin down, you are likely to snap the fin and the inbox, and then it's game over. Take the fin out, dig a hole deep enough for the fin to sit in or store the board the wrong way up. This can save 😭
   
6. If you take a repair kit with you, make sure that you remove the glue.
   This is a prohibited item. You don't want the pain of having your SUP removed from the hold luggage.
   
   
7. Take a padlock for your SUP bag and lock the zips - then tuck it away.
   This secures your SUP and the bags contents to any prying eyes. It also helps prevent your zips getting snagged and possibly tearing the bag.
   
   
8. Rinse your board off before you bring it home.
   And then rinse it again when you get home. Do your best to not bring an nasties back with you.
   
   
9. Take a spare fin and fin bolt. 
   These re lightweight items and if you lose them whilst away, it's usually the end of your holiday SUPing activities.
   
10. Don't forget safety.
    Just because you are on holiday in the sun, it doesn't mean that you should forget your PFD, leash and phone. If you are truly worried about tan lines, grab yourself a rest tube or a baltic waist PFD. Don't take the risk. 
    
    

Keep all these in mind when you travel and you will have an epic holiday with your board.

And don't forget, you can also fit a FatStick changing bag/mat in your board bag, and a FatStick Beach Tent. This will keep you, your fam and the board out of the midday sun.