The airlines are getting crazy with all the fees and charges associated with board bags. Sometimes, but not always, it pays to curbside check your bags and tell the baggage handler beforehand that there is a big tip in it if he foregoes the charges. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Plus, waiting in the ticket line with a huge board bag isn’t very fun either.
Arriving at your destination
How big IS that board bag you have? That thing is huge! How are you gonna get it to your beach house or surf shack? Plan ahead. Bring some bungee cords or rope, if you can’t find a taxi van at the airport or a rental that’s big enough to stuff it. A few of my friends from the band Pennywise brought a huge quiver of boards to the North Shore for my brothers wedding and they all flew off on the Kam highway at 70 mph because they weren’t strapped on very good. Not fun.
Getting wet
Any good surfer knows that you should ALWAYS check out the spot thoroughly BEFORE you paddle out. Where is your entry and exit? How will the tide effect both? Are there rip currents? Is it sharky?
It’s always great to think about getting some good surf with no one out but you, but is that what you really want? Having a bro or someone else out with you is always a better idea. Too many factors to worry about when you’re alone and it’s always better to get hooted into a wave.
I was in Fiji one time and talked to some of the locals and they told me that a bunch of people died at this one reef due to strong currents. I saw some people out and checked it out for a while and it didn’t look that crazy. I waited for someone to paddle out and I went behind him. It was one of the scariest paddles I’ve ever done. I was in this thirty foot wide channel and when the swell came in it bulged with water and as the water receded, I sank and the reef came up on both sides and there were whirlpools everywhere. I paddled as hard as I could and stayed in the middle and was freaked when I finally made it out. Needless to say, when I was done, I surfed into the shallows and just walked out on the bare reef. It pays to listen to the locals.
River mouths are great spots for waves, but they also welcome some dangers. Sharks like to frequent near river mouths, mostly because they are opportunist and will eat animals that have washed downstream and into the ocean. Don’t forget that crocodiles are also likely to swim down the river. Recently I read about a surfer that just got attacked by a croc in Costa Rica paddling in from a surf session. It happens. Also be on the lookout for debris and really bad currents.
Respect
When I say respect, I mean respect for all things. Most surfers know this by default but I want to emphasize it. Number one, respect the locals. I mean in all facets. Respect their beach, their culture, the lineup, their women, everything. This will help you in more ways than you can ever know. This is why I really recommend having some friends there before you arrive. Paddling out with a local is a much easier transition than not. Almost instant acceptance. Not to mention having someone that will teach you the in’s and out’s of the wave. Positioning and the takeoff can be critical on some waves and knowing the slightest tricks from your new friend can really help your A-game.
Fellow travelers
My favorite part of traveling to new destinations is meeting new people. Exchanging cultural views has opened my eyes to so many great things. On another trip to Fiji, I met this group of Australians and we decided to travel together, splitting costs along the way. This was awesome. Instead of paying my own way and staying at surf camps, we stayed at Four-Star resorts because we split the bill four ways. Not to mention having a great time with three new friends. When I parted ways with them, I stayed with two Kiwis for two days and then stayed with some Israelis. I had enough money at the end of my trip to treat myself to a few days at the Lalati Resort on Beqa. A great trip all the way around.
Research your destination
In this day of Photoshop and picture manipulation, ensure you have more than one source for your destination information. I’ve stayed at places that look awesome on the website, only to find out that I was actually staying in the back room with holes in the mosquito nets big enough to drive trucks through.
Training
I strongly recommend a rigorous training program at least a month before you go. This will get your motor skills at their prime and your cardio pumping. Depending on your destination location, you will use one-hundred percent of your skills, endurance, focus, nourishment, and so much more.
On one of my surf trips, the waves were so good for a week straight, that I surfed eight hours a day with only a 30 minute break for lunch and hydration. I surfed so much that my hand actually started to separate from my wrist due to so much paddling. I had to duct tape my hand to my wrist. This was with a solid month of hard core training before hand. If I didn’t train, I’m sure I wouldn’t have lasted so long. Trust me, it was worth it! The waves were epic.
Nutrition
I’m not going to tell you what to eat on vacation, and I’m sure you know it’s simple. The better you eat (and drink), the better you’ll perform. I will say that you need to hydrate yourself a lot more in the tropics than elsewhere. I learned this the hard way by getting a kidney stone on the Big Island of Hawaii and that wasn’t fun at all. It all could have been avoided if I drank more water than I did. Ensure you are drinking purified, bottled, boiled or treated water only. Also, ensure that if you do have ice in any drinks, the ice comes from one of these safe sources. For more information on foods and drinks, visit the Foods tab within Tropixman.com
See Travel Checklist for more information
Surf Gear:
Board bag, Fin blocks, Rail guards
A good-sized, carry-on travel back pack
Duffel bag
Temperature-Specific Wax
Extra Leashes- at least one for big waves
Removable Fin Sets, 2 fin keys (in case you drop one in the water)
Wet/Dry Bag
Helmet for Sun & Impact Protection
Boards of varying sizes
Ding Repair kit, Sun Cure Resin
Beach Towels - 1-2
Video Camera and Supplies / Digital Video Camera etc.
Dress:
Reef Booties
Rash Guards - short and long sleeve
Sunglasses (polarized preferred)
Sunglass Leash
Boardshorts– at least 3 pair (rash resistant preferred)
Regular Shorts – 1-2 pair
Light weight casual clothing. Shorts, T-shirts, Sarongs, etc.
Slippers (Flip-flops)
Medical:
Health Check-Up. (Update Immunizations - Typhoid & Hepatitis advised for Indonesia)
Anti Malaria Medication. (Larium, Malerone, or Doxycycline for Indonesia)
Personal Medication
Basic Medical Kit
Insect Repellent
Entertainment:
MP3 Player / CD Player w/CD’s / Batteries
Books & Magazines
Still Camera and Film if needed
Handheld Game Set
Electricity Adapter (know your electrical requirements)
SURFING
Before you go
Surfing is one of my favorite sports and it always pays off to have all the right equipment to make the best of your trip. Check the Travel Checklist page and the items below to ensure you have everything.
I am a huge proponent of having some friends at my destination before I arrive. I get on the Internet and meet people through local websites and see if they need anything from my area before I come out. A great website is wannasurf.com. My last trip to Tahiti I met a guy online and all he wanted was some refried beans and some Ibuprofen (I guest it’s hard to get there). I got this stuff for him with no expectations, and he styled my wife and I out with a kayak, surfboards and access to an amazing reef with a left that rivals a small Pipeline (with only two other guys out!). A great way to meet the locals and be an instant friend.
