when traveling- bring vs. rent boards vs. ship

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

I've read the many threads on this. So look at this as more of a survey because I'm still on the fence.

I'm going to SPI for 2 weeks and can't decide whether to transport my own boards or rent them there.

1)Bring on plane- $100 min per trip x 2, meaning at least $200. However, the airliine is vague in its terminology. It could be $100/board/way-yikes! Also, I can't even fit my 140cm board in my bag.

2)Rent there- $100/week = $200. But then I can only have one board out at a time and then hope their inventory is enough to accomodate a daily switchout.

3)ship them- costs roughly $100/way= $200. And then hope they get there with no damages.

I think I'll probably just rent, but was wondering how others would view all this. Is there something else I'm missing. Do others just roll the dice and bring them without knowing if they'll get by free or get nailed with a big baggage fee.

Survey please!

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

if your talking surfboards, you should probably just rent, we got a lot here at APK (and im sure the other shops probably some too, maybe)

otherwise for reg boards shipping UPS is pretty good, it shouldn't cost nearly that much. 75 round trip TOPS.

in fact, SPI KITE ROUND-UP 2011 is about to drop the details of the deal we are working with UPS for shipping gear to and from the ROUND-UP, check the website for details, but they are trying to figure out how to do a discount for registered riders, shipping all gear to and from a "hub", which would be a storage room at the HILTON, across the street from the event site.

also, check the site soon for the deals at the HILTON, its THE place to stay this year.

backdoorkite · Since 19 Feb 2011 18 Posts

This is what you want to do when you get
To where your going get some wood and make
A board,just make sure you hammer the nails downward
So the don't poke you in the feet

Peace out bra

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

When I go to SPI, I usually rent from Josh at South Padre Island Kiteboarding. It was $35/day. The cool thing was that I could switch boards when I wanted, high wind, low wind, and even better he didn't charge me on the days that the wind didn't blow Smile

brockmi · Since 31 Aug 2009 13 Posts

I just got back from SPI. Southwest doesn't charge for boards as long as the bag weight is under 50 lbs.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

ya, SW is cool

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

I would rent. I know Air Padre has a killer selection and are very fair on price. I don't remember what they charge but they had a weekly rate and you could exchange as much as you wanted. SPI is not really a one or even two board kinda place. Surf, flat water, skimboard you decide.