With summer just around the corner, you may be finalizing plans for your surf trip. With all the excitement that comes along with planning a vacation, you may often overlook some key items you should pack and bring along. Here are few things that we recommend bringing for your next surf trip.

Board Bag

Traveling with a surf board can open up many opportunities for the board to get damaged in transit. You should always store your surf board in a board bag when traveling to ensure that it is protected from anything that could potentially scratch it, ding it, crack it, or break it. This is especially true if you plan on flying to your surf destination (we all know how rough airlines can be on luggage!).

If you don’t already own a board bag, you can find a variety of surf board bags on Amazon (some that are available to Prime members, for those needing them last minute). A good surf board bag will set you back anywhere from $100-$200.

Fins and Fin Keys

You’ll want to pack extra surf fins and keys to screw your fins to your board. Fins can easily damaged, especially when surfing in new waters. Don’t let a damaged fin keep you off the water. In the event that the fin is damaged, you will need a fin key to screw in the new fin. These keys can easily be lost, so bring a couple extras along with you.

Extra Leash

As always, it is better to be over prepared then under prepared. Bring an extra leash in case yours breaks or gets lost in the shuffle. Also, leashes can get stretched in new waters, so you may want an extra one in the event this happens.

Wax

You can never have too much wax. It’s small, inexpensive, and easy can fit in a carry on. For novice surfers who may be going on their first trip, wax is important to keep the grip of the surf board under your feet. You don’t want to look like a total rookie and have the board slip out from under you all the time while on your first surfing trip.

Sunscreen

Nothing ruins a great surf trip more than an awful sunburn. Be sure to pack sunscreen, and plenty of it! if you are flying, be aware of the liquid rules for TSA. You may have to include your larger bottles, aerosol cans, and tubes of sunscreen in your checked luggage. You can always buy sunscreen at your destination, but why spend the money if you already have some at home that you just need to pack?

Small First Aid Kit

Again, better safe then sorry with this one! You never know when you may need a bandaid and some antibiotic ointment. Don’t let a cut or wound, keep you out of the water. You don’t need anything fancy when it comes to first aid kits, a small one that you can find at your local Walmart will do.

Bathing Suit

While this sounds incredibly obvious,, many times it’s the most obvious things that get left behind. (We’ve all been there). Pack a couple bathing suits, after all you don’t want to do laundry on your trip. If you are a female, pack a few tops and bottoms so you can just mix and match throughout your trip.