Kiteboard ship or take on

[lesvierra]

Im heading to Costa Rica for a month. I've read where Im staying winds are good for kiting 1/3 days so I'd like to bring the gear. I havent traveled with kiteboard or gear on a plane, and havent traveled with a surf board in a long time. What is the best way to get my gear over these days. ship in the mail or try to check in on the plane? A few years ago, it was stash in a golf bag/kiteboard bag, not sure my monster door will fit in one of those. And recommendations. Guess another option is rent a board, bring kite. thx

[Todd Jacques]

hey old les. my .02
i use my NSI golf bag and carry my twin tip. it will not fit much over a 136x44.I can also fit two kites and other swag in that bag. I have a REI duffle which carries another two kites and shit as well. I just went to Baja with delta and only had to pay for one checked bag, which was $27 one way. You should check airline you are flying on to see what rules are. Delta international gets you two free checked bags as long as they are not over 50lbs each. Print baggage rules to take to skycab(only use skycab and have a tip visible).

The door will not fit unless you use a big bag, I have a DAkine Coffin bag which will fit a fairly big board, but not sure a Door will fit. I have a Door and could check if need be. Not sure, but you probably don't need a Door down there any way. Which brings me to the best solution is to rent a board down there if you can make prior arrangements. You could probably demo all sorts of boards down there.

Carry your small twin tip and smallest kites and rent the rest.

You can use either bag if you need to if i dont need them, which most likely i wont.

[lesvierra]

thx Todd, i'll check into renting, but might take you up on the "check to see if the door fits" in the coffin. ill send you dates

[Jason Klein]

I've also got a coffin bag. think it is 6' long, which would hold a 180cm board. I'll check it tonight. I think you'd definitely get charged for an oversize bag, tho.

[Kenny]

Les,

If you are flying into San Jose, you can probably take a NSI bag without a problem. Anything larger and you will have to pay an additional fee. Some airports are onto the golf bag/kiteboard deal - Maui in particular. Check the airline your are flying for specific rules. If you are taking a secondary flight once you reach Costa Rica, you may find the baggage rules even more restrictive. Nature Air for example will make you buy 3 seats if you want to take a surf board and they have a maximum baggage weight of 40 LBS. Sansa Airlines has a maximum of 30 LBS. I am headed to the CR at the end of March and I am trying to figure out how to take as light a setup as possible.

Have a fun trip!

Kenny

[jason morton]

I doubt you could rent a kiteboard in CR unless you are headed to Lake Arenal or Bahia Salinas?

[Todd Jacques]

also Kiteforum has a great travel section with people all over the world giving there two cents.
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewforum.php?f=83

[Doug Mills]

Susie and I took kites and harness' is a duffel bag last year to Costa Rica. We were able to rent boards in Bahia Salinas real easy. We rented from Bob at Cometa Copal. He has a good selection and is a really good guy. If in Bahia Salinas stay at his place it is the closest to the launch. He overlooks the bay and you can walk to the launch and the price is right. We were Mal Pais(sp) and found some boards to rent also but there was no wind so we didn't kite there.

[lesvierra]

Thanks for the info. Doug, I'll by near Mal Pais in Santa Teresa. I think I can rent a board here. Waiting for confirmation. http://www.adrenalinasurfcamp.com/home.htm

If I had a board smaller than my door, I think I'd try to borrow one of those golf kite bags, no additional charges on Fontier Airlines for golf bags, as I understand it.

Kenny, where are you going in CR?

[Doug Mills]

This guy also had a few boards for rent http://www.pacha-malpais.com/. He was a nice guy and gave us some good beta.

[lesvierra]

thanks Doug, the kite instructor listed on that page is who I've been in touch with. I should be able to get a board, thx