Flying with a SUP - Adventures Around the Globe

                   

I just got back from a literal trip around the world with an inflatable SUP and my
Sawyer STORM TRAVELER SUP Paddle. I visited six countries and countless 
airports as we embarked on many SUP whitewater first descents in Bosnia, 
Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Bhutan.

Since most airlines have cracked down on baggage,
it can be a lot more expensive to fly with more than one bag. 

Thanks to the STORM TRAVELER 3pc breakdown paddle and my Badfish inflatable
 SUP,  I was able to get all my SUP gear into one checked 
bag that weighed just under 50 lbs. 
A full length paddle would have required a second checked bag and at 
$100 per leg of the journey that alone would have cost me an extra $700.

I made this work by packing all my personal items in a bag that I could carryon,

along with a large backpack. Most airlines allow for 50 lbs (or 23 kg)
 or they’ll tack on a $100 excess weight charge. Sometimes the people
 at the checkin counter would overlook a few pounds and other

times I had to shuffle gear between my checked bag and carryon bag
 until the checked bag was under 50 lbs.

Here area couple of things I learned when traveling with a SUP:

• Walkup to the checkin counter with a big smile and ask the airline employee about their day.
• Remember to dry out your gear before you fly. Wet gear can easily add 10 lbs.
• Carryon bags also officially have a weight limit, but it’s rarely checked. 
• Pack dense items in your carryon and bulky items in the checked bag with the SUP and paddle.

If you’re really worried about weight, wear your jacket and load 
up the pockets with throw bags and other small, heavy things.
 The "STORM TRAVELER" SUP paddle is conveniently the same
 width as most inflatable SUPs. You can roll it up inside the SUP
 to protect it during transport.

Article submitter by The "Sup Traveler", Ambassador  Zach Collier