How to Travel Like a True Kiteboarder

Whether you’re learning to kite, ride on vacations, or you’re an experienced kiteboarder… we all have one thing in common: We love to kite. And we all know that there’s a world full of beautiful kite spots just waiting to be shredded.

Traveling with kiteboarding equipment is a headache, to say the least. We’re constantly trying to avoid excess baggage fees. Hauling huge bags all over the world. Never really sure if we brought the right kite sizes for the conditions. And we’re in a constant war against sand and soggy gear!

I’ve been traveling full time for the past year and a half with kite gear in tow. It feels like I’ve encountered every possible obstacle when it comes to traveling with kite gear. But every challenge becomes a lesson. And with the amount of lessons I’ve had to learn, I have a wealth of helpful travel trips to share with you.

6 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR KITE TRIP EASIER

Buy a scale. Now.

You can get a great little luggage scale on Amazon for under $10. This is absolutely essential gear for a traveling kiter. Mine stays in my suitcase and comes with me on every trip. Most airlines have a strict 50 lb. weight limit for bags. Check with your airline to be sure.

Weigh your stuff. Stay under the limit. Spend all that money you saved on overweight fees on margaritas! And remember the magic words: ¡Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa' dentro!

Know the conditions at your destination.

It’s easy to make smart choices about what to pack in your kite bag if you’ve done the research. Find out the water temperature at the spot so you know what wetsuit to bring. Check the water conditions. You may need different fins for flatwater over ocean chop or wave riding. Most importantly, what kind of wind are you expecting? Check wind forecasts and kite forums, and don’t be afraid to contact a kite shop or kite school at your destination. Many websites do not show a forecast that’s adjusted to take into account thermal winds.

Prepare for battle at the airport.

Alright, that may be a bit extreme. It’s not a battle …until they try to open your kite bag! The problem with traveling with kite gear is that it can get very expensive. Here’s how I avoid paying oversized bag fees:

• Pick the right kite bag. We all know that golf bags are free on most airlines. And kite bags are most definitely not. I use the Dakine Club Wagon, a non-descript black bag that doesn’t scream kiteboarder. My last bag was bright blue and yellow, and got me dinged for bag fees almost half the time! Liquid Force and Slingshot also have great options for golf style bags.
• Don’t dress like a kiter. The hoodie with your favorite kite school’s logo on it is awesome – just don’t wear it at the airport. I won’t go so far as suggest wearing a polo shirt and golf pants, but try not to make it too obvious that you’re a kiteboarder. People will often make assumptions about what’s in your bag based on how you’re dressed.
• Bonus tip: When booking your flight, be aware of what each airline charges for kiteboarding equipment. Some airlines like Virgin don’t charge anything. United can charge up to $200. Each way. The cheapest fare may not be the cheapest overall if you do end up paying the fees.
• Be nice!! By far the most valuable thing you can do to improve your odds. Be nice. Be authentic. Smile! Ask your check-in agent questions. Care about their answers. If you’re a terrible liar like me and struggle to outright say that you’re carrying golf equipment, a friendly interaction with the person that’s taking your bags will go a long way.

Don’t forget your FIRST AID kit.

How many of us have had session ending incidents that could have been resolved if we’d been a little more prepared? I’ve popped bladders, poked holes in the canopy, broken fins, lines, all of it. Nothing saves the day like a couple of patches and some super glue.

Some people are worried about forgetting their toothbrush. I worry about leaving behind my screwdriver and kite repair kit!

Remember that Mother Nature is our ficklest friend.

Wind is never guaranteed. Ever. No matter where you go, no matter what time of year. Know that this is a fact and accept it. Instead of being that person on the beach that spends the day complaining about the lack of wind and grumpy that they can’t get a session in, go out and do something!

A calm day may be the perfect opportunity to do activities that are difficult when it’s windy. Surfing, paddleboarding, and skydiving are ideal when it’s not windy. Check out the nearest cable park, go ride a horse, hike around in the jungle, get coco loco on the beach. There’s a million things to do on a vacation that aren’t kiting. Don’t let a bad forecast ruin your trip, because a good attitude can make any trip perfect.

Leave yourself some space.

In your suitcase, and on your schedule! For some reason, at the end of a kite trip it seems like everything weighs a little more than it did at the beginning. I always make sure there’s a bit of room in my bags just in case. I often have to bring my harness, bindings, or bar back in my carry-on.

Sometimes that extra weight comes from trying to pack up damp, water-logged gear. I love to have a buffer day at the end of my kite trip where I can clean and dry my gear before packing it. Let it all dry and go get a massage on the beach to help you recover from the beating you’ve just taken from all that kiting. And the best part? When you get home, you don’t have to deal with a bag full of stinky gear! Aahhh.

Crystal Veness

Originally from Canada, she now calls the entire world her playground and simultaneously her workplace. Whether that's an impromptu office in the back of a rental car on top of a mountain or a hut on kite beach Cabarete, she is a true embodiment of the work-life balance movement.

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Whether you’re in the planning stage or the packing stage for your next kite trip, I hope these tips helped. Feel free to contact MACkite or myself if you have any questions about gear or kite travel, and I’ll see you on the water!