How To Pack Your Kiteboarding Gear For Vacations
Kiteboarding’s greatest asset is its ability to be done in many different locations, provided there is a source of water nearby. It can be difficult to pack all your kitesurfing gear when you leave the winter doldrums. Vacations usually involve visiting places that meet these criteria. You don’t have to abandon your kiteboarding equipment if you get a good kiteboarding bag and learn how to pack it.
First, you need to choose the right travel bag for kitesurfing. Kiteboarding bags such as the Dakine Club Wagon or Dakine X Bag, are excellent options. Kiteboarding bags are sometimes called golf bags. The original intent of most kiteboarding bags is to disguise them as other sporting equipment luggage so that they can take advantage airlines’ free baggage policies. With airline cost controls, this leeway has become less common but it still holds true. When deciding on the size of your bag, consider how long your kiteboard(s). You will need a bag slightly larger than your biggest kiteboard. If packed properly, many kiteboarding bags can hold at least two kiteboards, two kitesurfing kitses, a pump and harness, as well as water garb.
Kiteboarding is the most important item in your kitesurfing travel kiteboard bag. Not only are the fins too large, but they can also cause damage to your kites during their turbulent journey through baggage handling. Also, leaving fins on can lead to them breaking. It is easiest to take out all fins, remove the bolts from the fins, and then wrap the pieces in bubble wrap or a T-shirt to protect them. It may be necessary to take out your kiteboard straps and footpads depending on how bulky they are. Keep all gear centralized, small parts like screws, in a bag and include a screwdriver.
Make sure you get rid of all air from the kites by running your fingers down the bladder and struts to remove any extra. If the strut clips aren’t covered, it may be worth removing them. The weight of your bag may cause the plastic clips to puncture the kite depending on how heavy you have placed them. Roll the kitesurfing board from the wingtips to the center along the leading edge. This is similar to putting it away at the beach. It should be as long as the kiteboarding bag. You can only fold as much as you need.
This post was written by Aaron McClearnon, Owner of Elite Watersports. At Elite Watersports, We strive to provide exceptional service and genuine interactions with those interested in kiteboard in St. Pete. We hold dear our passion for being out on the water and maintain this as our foundation for all business practices.