Traveling to Fiji with SUP and paddle

[Long Beach Paddle Guy]

Looking for input on traveling with a SUP and paddle.  Going to Fiji in October and flying on either Air NZ or Fiji Air.  Any tips on how to best protect the board and paddle?  Also, is it best to put paddle in board bag with my board? I'm just bringing one board.
Thanks

[APPST_Paddle]

Let me know how it is, I'm heading on the same trip probably late January. In the past when I travelled, I just put my paddle in the board bag with the board, I put it in a paddle bag for a little extra protection.

The first time I actually de-assembled the paddle (KeNalu) and re-glued it when I got there.

[Long Beach Paddle Guy]

Will do . . .

[kayadogg]

Invest in a quality 3 piece or telescoping travel paddle. You can carry it on and stash it in the overhead bin. I have flown a lot with full size paddles and 9 out of the 10 flights were no problem at all. The issue is that the 1 other flight resulted in 2 paddles going on the plane and 4 coming off. After that mess and no reimbursement from United (other than a $500 voucher, oh yay), I will only fly with a travel paddle. I did a smoking Maliko run, my first, with a not-so-great Werner 3-piece so I'm pretty sure that will get me through most surfing/paddling wherever I go.

Have fun! A buddy of mine just got to Namotu today. He brought a travel paddle...

[APPST_Paddle]

Just got back from a week in Tavarua, what a place, beautiful even though we had a few days of pouring rain. Great people, food, and most importantly, waves.

I went in the offseason because I didn't want it way over my comfort zone. It was mostly chest-shoulder with OH sets the first 3 days, then a few smaller days, and the last sunrise session in the waist-chest with head high sets and super clean.

I would highly recommend Tavarua or Namotu if you are lucky enough to go.

[NorthJerzSurfer]

when do we get to see the pictures???!!!

[surfcowboy]

The offseason thing is smart.

Need to see some pics man. Super jealous!

[APPST_Paddle]

The offseason thing is smart.

Need to see some pics man. Super jealous!

Yeah, I'm glad I went when I did. It looks like they are dealing with a cyclone now. Only downside was I didn't get enough wind to kite, it would come up to like 10-12 knots every afternoon, regardless it was a blast.

Here are some pics, I honestly didn't get that many, I only took the GoPro out on one smaller session because I have a tendency to pay attention to it and get walloped every once and awhile, and being the only SUP'er I didn't want to make an ass out of myself.

The other thing I noticed and have since worked on is my foot placement. I generally paddle into a wave in a staggered surf stance, but then move both my back foot and front foot back so that the front foot is behind the handle and the back foot is as far back as I can get. I'm guessing because the waves were faster, I never reset my feet that much, basically just held on to make sure I made it in and out.

Overall - it was a great trip, the reef isn't that sharp so you can touch down with your feet as long as you don't have any speed in doing so. I have a few small cuts, but nothing major.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[NorthJerzSurfer]

so sick appst!

thanks for posting!  How much do you weigh on that 8'8 Super Tech?

[APPST_Paddle]

so sick appst!

thanks for posting!  How much do you weigh on that 8'8 Super Tech?

175 lbs., if I rode waves with a bit more power I would have went with the 8'3". 8'8" is plenty stable, but I wanted a little extra length for our waves.

[Zooport]

Woah, so cool; I'm jealous.  How was the atmosphere in the water?  Did you experience any hassles or stink eye?

[SlatchJim]

My envy dial just hit 11.  Awesome trip!

[APPST_Paddle]

Woah, so cool; I'm jealous.  How was the atmosphere in the water?  Did you experience any hassles or stink eye?

Umm...so to be honest, it was basically just our boat from Tavarua and occasionally a few others. Half the days it was mostly just us (roughly 4 - 8 surfers). The most I counted at any one time was 12.

I'll say this regarding the atmosphere, everyone was really nice and for the most part I didn't have any direct negative comments. The only time anyone really said anything was once when I crumbled a wave in front of him, but to be honest, he took off kinda late, and was talking to someone as he did, so I had no clue he was going for the wave. I almost dropped him on him inadvertently, but I look inside in my sleep, so I was able to get off.

He came by and basically said if I did that in Hawaii or Bali with locals it could be a problem. Kiting didn't seem as prevalent as on Namotu as well. If I were to go back, I'd try Namotu, it's a bit smaller, and I'd say the scenery/staff/food at Tavarua are top notch.

[surfafrica]

Looking for input on traveling with a SUP and paddle.  Going to Fiji in October and flying on either Air NZ or Fiji Air.  Any tips on how to best protect the board and paddle?  Also, is it best to put paddle in board bag with my board? I'm just bringing one board.
Thanks

I use a bag 6" longer than my board and add a layer of styrofoam insulation from Home Depot on the top and bottom (cheap & super light). I use one sheet and cut it in half (and tape the cut sides to prevent mess).  I think the sheet is 8' x 4'...maybe 1/2" thick.  I also put pipe insulation on the rails (also cheap and light).  I wrap my paddle in the pipe insulation and throw it in the bag too.  I used to take the paddle apart (like in the pic below), but I don't bother anymore.

[SUP Sports ®]

I've flown Fiji Air and used foam guards on the noses and tails of my board(s)...made a foam rail wrap for the mid-section using paper so the tape adhesive didn't get all over the board or pad...I designed the padded paddle bag that holds two paddles with a blade separator...and, just placed it in the travel bags that I also designed...haven't had any issues flying with that combo anywhere yet...