There’s nothing worse than turning up to a beautiful pristine island with pumping waves only to find your magic board with a creased nose and dinged rails. It happens all too often and we surfers just seem to accept it like an offering to the surf god’s. It doesn’t have to be this way, with some smart packing those surf gods may seem a bit more merciful than you first thought.
Choose the Right Board Bag
Start with a double or triple coffin bag with at least 10mm of padding. Look for internal compression straps, thick nose and tail protection, and a tough outer shell.
Brands like FCS, Dakine, Creatures, and Ocean & Earth make solid travel coffins that can handle multiple domestic hops. Alternatively there are quite a few local Bali shops that make high quality equipment for half the price. Personal recommendation: Next gen boardbags in Ungassan.
Wrap Every Board Properly
A padded bag isn’t enough. Wrap each board individually:
- Slide pipe insulation foam over the rails (cheap from any hardware store).
- Add cardboard around the nose and tail. Some store sell foam nose and tail protectors.
- Use towels, wetsuits for extra padding.
- Make surf you leashes, fins or anything hard is not stuck on the bottom or between the boards. Ideally keep accessories in a separate compartment in the board bag.
Remove and Secure All Fins
This one should be obvious.
- If you’re running glass on fins, don’t place it on the bottom. Try create some padding around the fins so no pressure is being put on them and on the board below. Sounds extreme but a small pillow can work.
- Place all the fins in a fin bag or wrap them in a sock or towel and tape the bundle into a corner of your board bag.
Balance Weight and Avoid Airline Fees
- Keep your bag under 23 kg for most Indonesian domestic flights (Lion, Wings, Citilink).
- Evenly distribute the weight so there are no “soft spots” in the middle.
- Use wetsuits, towels, and boardshorts to fill gaps for extra padding.
- Always weigh your bag before heading to the airport.
Label and Lock Everything
- Stick “Fragile” and “Surfboards” labels on both sides.
- Use a lock on the main zipper.
- Drop an AirTag or Tile inside the bag so you can track it mid-transfer.
- Tape your name, destination, and phone number on the outside in case tags get torn off.
Insurance, Photos & Check-In Tips
Before you check your boards in:
- Take clear photos of each one.
- If there’s damage on arrival, file a report before you leave the airport.
- Consider surf travel insurance that covers damage (e.g. World Nomads, SafetyWing, True Traveller).
This small step can save you hundreds if your board gets wrecked in transit.
Indo Travel Tips from the Lineup
- Domestic transfers (especially on turbo-props) are the riskiest, handlers rush and load gear rough.
- Always bring fin keys, repair tape, and ding repair (solar res) in your carry on.
- Avoid tight connection times so your boards make the flight.
- Be nice to the check-in crew, you’d be surprised how far a smile goes.
✅ Quick Packing Checklist
| Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Board bag (10mm+) | Primary protection |
| Pipe foam | Cheap rail guard |
| Bubble wrap/board separator | Shock absorption |
| Tape & scissors | Seal everything |
| Fin case | Prevent cracks |
| Wetsuits / towels | Extra padding |
| Luggage tracker | Peace of mind |
Final Word
You can’t control how baggage handlers treat your board, but you can control how prepared you are.
A little time spent padding, taping, and weighing your setup at home beats a snapped tail in Bali any day.
Pack smart, travel light, and you’ll spend your first Indo session paddling out, not hunting for ding repair.
