How do you travel with your surfboard in France?

Are you eager to plan your next surf trip? To get your beloved little board—which is starting to gather dust—back in the water? Then here come the usual questions…

Does the airline I’m flying with allow surfboards longer than 8′ on board? Can I take my surfboard on the subway? Do I need to take a taxi? A special taxi? What about the train? Is it possible to travel with a surfboard on the train? What is the maximum allowed length?

We’ll try to answer these questions and help reduce your pre-surf-trip stress.

1) TRANSPORTING YOUR BOARD ON THE TRAIN

You cannot bring your surfboard with you on the train. The maximum size allowed for luggage is 1.20 meters by 90 centimeters in a bag; in other words, you can only bring a bodyboard.

Unless you’ve created a foldable board, it will be difficult to legally carry your board with you. The fine for violating this law can be as high as 50€.

The SNCF offers a service called “Mes Bagages” that provides baggage pickup and home delivery for about 80€ (the cost varies depending on the baggage and the route). This is therefore the only legal way to bring your surfboard with you on your train trip.

2) TRANSPORTING YOUR BOARD ON A PLANE

You can carry your surfboard in a board bag on a plane. Depending on the airline, this may incur an additional fee.

The key is to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the company’s policies on shipping surfing gear, which will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises. Don’t hesitate to contact them directly.

Be sure to check the weight and size limits. It’s also important to protect your board to prevent it from getting damaged during transit.

You can protect the nose and tail (the most delicate parts) with bubble wrap and remove the fins.

It’s not uncommon to find your board broken or damaged.

Here is a list of the airlines serving Biarritz Airport, along with their fare policies:

3) TRANSPORTING YOUR BOARD BY CAR

• Inside the car: You can put your surfboards in your car, but although this method is quick and easy, it takes up space and is illegal. Traffic laws prohibit transporting bulky items inside a car. You therefore risk a fine.

• Rigid roof racks: Roof racks are an effective solution when you have the necessary equipment. You’ll also need straps and roof rack protectors. The drawbacks include the cost of the racks and the time required to install and remove them. It’s not recommended to leave them on the car because they increase fuel consumption.

• Soft racks: Soft racks require a 5-door car; they’re very easy to install and remove and are suitable for short trips. However, they’re not ideal for the highway and aren’t designed for long distances.

4) ANOTHER SOLUTION

Bringing your board with you requires an investment and some planning.

It might be a good idea to rent a board right there on the spot.

If you bring your latest performance shortboard and the waves are small and mushy, you’ll have gone to all that trouble for nothing.

If you decide to rent a board, you can avoid all these complications; you can choose a board that’s suited to the conditions without running the risk of damaging it on the way there.

Rental costs will be roughly the same as the cost of shipping your equipment.

Renting will also let you try out new boards and experience new sensations.

If you’re visiting the Basque Coast or the Landes region, don’t hesitate to contact Marty Surf Delivery, which has a quiver of about 150 high-quality boards suitable for all skill levels and surfing styles.

Enjoy surfing,

Marty