Surfboards - What to Bring?
Bring what you normally ride.
Ok, that being said, there are a couple things to consider. First, are you bringing more than one board? Connecting flight? How long is your lay-over? Glassed on fins or removable? Longboard or shortboard? Got an extra $150 bucks for oversize baggage? Taking a domestic connecting flight? Consider these questions. You may not have a double board bag, or have a board with glass on fins that needs extra packing. Longboards might go over your airlines size limit– this stuff changes so check your airline. And, finally, check out your connection time and make sure that it isn’t too tight and your boards miss the flight. It’s happened to people I know. Idiots. Fuck them. Just kidding.
WARNING! Oversize surfboard baggage fees have changed! pay as much as $600! Please read this and don’t get stuck paying more than your seat fare for your boards. Read about what happened to me last time I went to Mexico. Be warned - check your airline website first.
What I’m getting at here is this: Maybe you want to pick up something once you arrive, new or used, or if you’re a beginner, just rent one when you need it. Maybe your whole trip isnt only a surf trip, and you plan to check out one of the volcanoes - Arenal is a worthwhile trip - do some hiking and maybe white water rafting etc. Then, it might not be worth the hassle of wrestling with a board every time you move, and it’s simply easier to rent one. if you’re a beginner, you might want to see if you like surfing before you drop $600 on a shiny new stick. You never know - it’s possible that you’ll hate surfing. You decide.
Now, if you’re an experienced surfer, and you’re single minded in your purpose (most surfer’s have th blinders on when they go to Costa Rica - I admit that I do), then you should bring some kind of a shortboard. Something in the 6′0″ to 6′8″ size, probably a thruster or a fish. Surfboards in this range are generally all you’ll need for an average day in most spots. Beachbreaks on the Pacific side are not incredibly powerful in general (compared to Hawaii) and you will get a lot of good waves with a board like that.
Bring a second board or buy one there. Chances are, you will be glad. I suggest bringing something with a rounded pintail in the 6′6″ to 6′10″ range for bigger, hollower days. When the surf gets bigger, and when the beach breaks get hollow with offshores (note: dry season in Guanacaste offshores prevail) it helps to have a little extra length, and get into the waves faster. When its hollow and fast - a board made for fast beach break will be a lifesaver to get you down the line and into the barrel, instead of behind the lip every time you take off.
Here’s my suggestion:
Shortboard: 6′0″ - 6′6″, 2 3/8, 18 3/4
Rounded Pin: 6′6″-6′10″, 2 1/8, 18 1/4
I dont really ever ride longboards, cheaters, or retro shapes. So if that’s your game - bring it! I still recommend a 6′8″ shortboard for the bigger hollower days in the beachbreak. Its just too much work to try and turtle dive the cumbersome old longboards when conditions are like that. Unless you’re a pro of course.
Going to the Caribbean side? Bring the rounded pin! Don’t say I didn’t tell you!
