Packing for a surf trip

LOTS of sunscreen, as it is super hot and the sun will scorch your northern skin, pack this in your checked bag though or you'll be throwing it out when they check your carry on. Lots of bug repellent, same thing, pack in checked baggage. I'd also pack some bottled water if you have room, that's just me. You'll want to have an extra leash or two in the event yours snaps in those 8-10ers. A 1st aid kit is always a good thing to have on hand too. Oh, and rubbers, looooots of rubbers.

 

I'd bring a golf umbrella and 50' of rope. I'd also bring several tarps that I'd give to ticos. As soon as I get to the beach, I'd find a good sized stick. the dogs down there are azzholes and occasionally need to be whomped.

 

Two pairs of shorts
Two pairs of trunks
Two towels in your board bag
hat/visor
sunglasses
5 T shirts + one you wear on the plane, one of them long sleeve
One pair of sandals (reefs, etc.)
Do you wear underwear? If so, pack a few.
Wax
Wax comb/hair comb
Toothbrush/paste
Deodorant
Bar of Soap in baggy
Rash guard - I prefer the loose fitting style
long sleeve wetsuit top
Spare fins + key
Two Boards
Two leashes
Passport
Smartphone + charger
Sunscreen
Wallet with Money/CC (money belt if you're going somewhere sketchy)
Backpack for your carry-on bag

 

Sunscreen and antibiotics.

 

If you're going to CR .... I'd leave the boards at home ... unless you absolutely need to ride your own stic. Rentals are plentiful down there and the boards are really in good shape if you go to the right place. If going near Tam ... I'd suggest Matos. Last time I went down I brought my brand new board, paid $50 each way on JetBlue to get it dinged ... and then 2nd time out clipped a rock with my fins and boogered up my fin box. End up renting for the rest of the trip for $8/day .... so $56 for the week vs the $140 I spent ($50 each way and 40 to fix). Nice thing about renting is they ususally allow you to trade it in on a daily basis ... if you get a small day ... you can grab a longer board ...etc.

Then again .... if you being no-madic .... bring your own. Just a pain in the @#@$ dragging it all around and transportation could be an issue.

 

No one has mentioned this: Ding repair kit.

Of course I agree with lisurfr if you are going to a place that has a good selection of rental boards. Just rent.

 

dont bring shampoo or aresoil deoderant they will make you throw it away at the airport they will make you though away toothpaste as well. you most likly wont be able to bring sunscreen either, just be cautious and dont over estimate your ability the waves look smaller from shore reef booties are a must. when you get there buy gallons of water youll waste off if you keep buying bottle water. make sure you bring hats, bug net depending on where our going. make sure you cake the sunscreen on the sun down there is nothing to play with its on a whole different level, dont buy drugs off the street unless there good. keep doors looked and leave shoes on the beach ect. get some local advice before you paddle out somewhere. take a lot of pictures i regret that i only take so few on my trips and when i look back im disappointed i didn't take more. watch out for army ants invading your room and falling on your head, dont fly united or american will be like 300 for boards if not more and they ding them always. enjoy
oh yeah and pack lightly as you can i usually only have a back pack and board bag.

 

You can bring all those things, you just have to put it in the checked baggage, not in the carry on. Just got back from PR not too long ago and that was how we did it.

 

Ding all for sure.

Make sure you pad the heck out of your board bag, I usually check my boards with my towels, sweatshirts, other thicker items wrapped around the boards and lining the rails for extra protection. I actually often travel with this fleece blanket thing just for the purpose of wrapping my boards, and there's always room for a couple extra shirts etc. if you use them as passing as well.

I might be a little paranoid considering my boards have never been dinged by an airline, but I'm not looking to start.

 

Foam tubing is a great way to protect your board, especially your rails. Simply cut a line down the entire tube, so you can slip the tube over your rails. It's pretty cheap and can be bought at most hardware stores. After padding your deck and bottom, wrap your board in saran wrap. Kudos to Jimmy, from The Cove, for the great advice.

As Losttsol already mentioned, don't forget your wax comb. So simple, yet so forgettable.

Have a blast, Emass!

 

Everything you normally use when surfing in warm water... Bring at least 2 of everything.
You shouldn't need booties in C.A.
Don't leave anything on the beach or in the car that you really need to be there when you get back.

 

+1 They sell it with the slits already in them, go to Home Depot or Lowes and look in the plumbing department, I did this when I went to PR and it worked like a charm, cover all rails, tails and noses, and then put one across the center of the board if there is room

 

one more thing ... if you do bring your boards ... get some bubble wrap or that foam pipe insulation from home depot. I used that to wrap my rails and no issues there, 2 six-or 8 foot section and cut once down the middle, fits right over the rail .... it was my deck that got dinged. Really no big deal ... just annoying since it was a new board.

 

also good for poor man surf racks

 

Be sure to bring a book of matches, a small mirror, a piece of aluminum foil, a tarp, a Swiss army knife, a reel of fishing line, an empty glass jar, sewing needles, and a great attitude. You can survive anywhere with only these items.

 

Bring lots of cool surf stickers and a few cool T Shirts to barter with. Give the stickers away to all the local kids in the cantina post surf, they may give you a wave or two the next day. Pack a bunch of extra leashes too, they don't take up a lot of room, are highly sought after, and they can be traded for stuff. A smile and a sincere "Bueno" gets you far. Make sure your leash is brand new, so you don't have to swim far. And look for the rips to get you out past the impact zone. And bring antibiotics and gargle with rum after you surf.

 

Sunscreen, bug dope, cord let and hammock. Oh ya can get one dirt cheap there. Enjoy n have fun.

 

Oh I forgot ur ur check book for ur onterage watching ya on 25 footers.

 

Where in Central America are you headed? What to bring to CR is different than Nica or ES.
A couple things not mentioned- Cipro for "Baja Belly", good waterproof tape (J&J) in the first aid kit. extra leash strings (these break almost as often as leashes) Also I find reef booties are worth packing, take almost no room, weigh nothing and if you fark up your feet you will be so glad you brought them.

When I pack my board bag I stuff a half inflated soccer ball @ the nose and tail- it is a great bumper. When I get down there I use my small portable hand pump and pump em up - then I find a kid and let them have the soccer ball. The smile you get is priceless.

bueno suerte