When bulky baby things get added to your surf trip quiver of boards, packing all that precious cargo takes more time. It’s tedious enough preparing surfboards for long travel. Preparing baby gear, often just as fragile, is a task of its own.
So how do you pack everything to make sure they're not damaged in transit?
Plan for extra of everything: extra time, extra packing materials and extra patience.
THE BOARDS.
Instead of packing boards the night before, start a few days earlier. You might not get to surf at home leading up to the trip. But just think of all the dreamy righthand point breaks you'll be scoring once you get there. It's worth not having to stress with last-minute packing.
It's also a good idea to stack on some padding–whether you're using a day bag or a bag designed for airline travel. The added packing time also allows for stress-free supply runs in case you realize you're out of bubble wrap or painter's tape. Some surfers like to use pipe insulation to pad the rails of each board, too. Whatever material you choose can be picked up at your leisure–instead of frantically rushing through the hardware store during baby's pre-flight nap. Airlines do not provide packing materials.
A board bag with wheels doesn't necessarily mean it'll be better for juggling everything at the airport. The wheels add on extra weight. It's best if you use a luggage cart at the airport for moving the boards and baby stuff from the car to the check-in counter.
THE BABY STUFF.
Unlike the surfboards, you can't always pack the baby stuff ahead of time. After all, you need the car seat to get to the airport (unless you have an extra one). Plan to arrive at the airport earlier and give yourself some space for packing the car seat. If you get dropped off, then move away from the chaos of curbside drop-offs. If you park, then find a safe place in the lot.
The stroller, however, should be packed in advance. Bring the umbrella stroller instead of the jogging one. It's not only lighter but also easier to push when you're cruising down the narrow streets of Poppies Lane in Bali.
It's also easier to wear your child in a carrier when you're navigating the airport with the added bulk. If you're traveling solo and need the stroller till gate check-in, then consider a car seat travel bag that can be worn as a backpack. It can be used when you're making your way from the car to the counter. Pushing both a stroller and a luggage cart is hard.
Look for travel bags that fold up into compact bags (with handles), making it easy to stuff under the stroller till you get to the gate. Carrying a carseat on your back is obviously going to be heavy; just think of it as part of your surf training.
THE BALANCING ACT.
Once at the airport, the sight of boards, big baby items, personal suitcases and your baby (!) makes getting to your surf destination feel impossible. Get a few luggage carts. Most airports offer them for free.
Then figure out how to organize the load on the cart without everything toppling over–or knocking over other travelers. Squarely-shaped suitcases create the foundation, then stack the oddly-shaped parcels on top. Your board bag should then lay nicely over everything.
And then when you finally send your baggage through, it's like a (literal) weight lifted from your shoulders. You can relax and leave the fate of your belongings up to the travel gods.
VIDEO: A clip of navigating Brisbane Airport with board bags, baby bags and a baby.
(Video By: @sunnyydazze).
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