Hello all,
I am possibly going back home to the UK and want to bring back all my kiting gear. With many airlines allowing free baggage check-in for golf bags... I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations or general advice for which kite 'golf' bag i should get... Or if there is a better way of getting my gear home...
Some models i have seen on the net are:
-Naish
-Mystic
-ION
-Cabrinha
Any reviews and advice would be great!
Cheers!
I beleieve some airlines differ, some allow surf board bags aswell, some allow a fair bit more sporting gear.
A work mate went to Italy for some sailing worlds and as they travelled as a team they got a roll of sails there for free. I also think some of the Moth sailors do the same with the boat cases.
Best bet is to email some airlines. Try telling them you are going there to compete.
I travel heaps, between NZ and alll around oz. The airlines have all cracked down on it. Most now allow you 23kg total full stop. THe "sporting equipment" policy just gives you another piece.
Your best bet is to get a light as possible and pre-purchase extra baggage.
Here is a red hot tip:
When you arrive to check-in, great the staff with a friendly smile whilst you place your hand luggage bag directly in front of the scales so it's height is about that of the scales themselves.
Next, place your surfboards etc on the scales so the heavier end (tail/fins) protrudes out and rests on your conveniently placed hand luggage. This is best done while a partner occupies staff with passports, tickets etc.
You can wipe off plenty of kgs from the load with this technique.
Dinner suit / dress bags are an extra carry-on that you are allowed to take in addition to your carry on bag. great place to put a harness (minus the spreader bar), wetsuits, another kite etc.
When I went through cutoms NZ they made me weigh my carry on bag, but werent interested in the suit bag...lucky!
If you are going with someone else check in with them. They will distribute the weight between all of you and wont make you pay if your under the combined total weight.
Just watch out if you try to wedge something under your main luggage while on the scales... I thought I was real funny when I held up one end of my bag at Sydney Airport while they weighed it...
I was laughing all the way to the oversize drop point, where they re-weighed it on the belt and i was 10kg's over. They guy told me to take out whatever i'd just put in there... So I pulled out my laptop bag, held it it under my arm and off I went :-D Lucky though - it made the guy preeeeeety mad...
flying jetstar? buy the excess online before you go (every check-in attendant is a wake up to the foot under the board bag) stung me an extra $280 on the last trip or upgrade to star class (larger luggage allowance and maybe a free cup of water) or better yet choose an airline that doesn't charge 25$ a kilo excess("Sorry I thought it was only $20 ".."flight is full" [no i am having a bad day thank you sucker])...
Hi Guys,
A golf bag isn't a ticket to avoiding excess baggage charges, but it can help. It will help more if you go dressed in a Spalding polo T-Shirt and a pair of slacks rather than a kitesurf T-shirt and a pair of boardies 
DM
Hey guys,
I will be flying with emirites and this is a section from there baggage section on the webiste:
'In addition to your checked baggage allowance, you may also check in one set of golf clubs and one pair of golf shoes free of charge in any class of service on any Emirates flight.
Other sports equipment is subject to normal excess baggage charges if it exceeds your baggage allowance. Some items, such as ski equipment, may be subject to additional charges...'
Think i might just try the old kite 'golf' bag trick!
Fly in business / 1st class - then they don´t care what you carry . I used my RRD Golf Bag and no charge (this was in dog class). Another way, late check in - then they don´t have time to fight with you 
....
If you fly to png on air niugini they allow surfboard bag and dive gear at no charge.
....
This thread has inspired me to do a little reasearch as to what allowances we have available travelling with kitesurf equiptment and here is something that I found on the Emirates Airlines site:
Emirates will accept wind surf boards, surf boards, kite surfing equipment, kayaks, body boards, pole vault or other sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance, provided:
They are less than 300 cm (10 feet) in length.
Any sails are detachable and collapsible.
It is appropriately packed in a hard-shell packing case. If not a Limited Release will be required.
For surf boards, the following precautions must be taken:
Fins should always be removed, or, if they cannot be removed, should be firmly packed with polystyrene foam.
Both nose and tail should have bubble-wrap or neoprene foam attached for protection.
The rails (sides of the board) should have cardboard down the sides to absorb shock.
The board should be packed in a properly padded surf-bag.
