When planning a surf trip, we must keep many things in mind. The first thing is to choose where we’re going, select the beaches we want to surf in the area, find accommodation nearby, and choose the transportation we’ll use during the trip. Also, as you well know, there are several types of surfing equipment we need, but the surfboard stands out among them all.
If we travel by car, we have the option of searching for the beaches with the best conditions and trying out different surf spots in the area. But what do we do with the surfboard?
We can rent a board at the different surf schools we find on each beach; however, it’s not the same as using our own surfboard. So, the question is: How do we carry our surfboard in the car? To do this, we’ve created this article to explain how to transport your surfboard in your car. If you want to surf with your board all over the world, keep reading.
Ways to transport your surfboard in your car
Fixed Roof Rack
A fixed roof rack is the most common way to transport a surfboard in a car. Many vehicles already have a roof rack installed and/or integrated into the roof of the car, so you only need to attach a couple of straps to carry your surfboard. Most surfers have a fixed roof rack in their regular vehicles, as it’s the most common way to transport their board.
To prevent the board from taking knocks, it’s advisable to use foam protectors. This way, the board rests on a softer surface, and if it moves slightly, it won’t directly hit the car body or the roof rack itself. If you have a cover for your board, we recommend using it to further protect your surfboard.
Soft Rack
Soft roof racks, also known as soft racks, are padded supports that sit on the roof of your car. This is a very useful accessory because it’s quick to assemble and disassemble. It can also be carried in the trunk, fitting in any vehicle in just a few minutes.
Its main advantage over fixed roof racks is that the same soft rack can be adapted to any car. It has several straps to secure the rack to the car. Once the rack is in place, place the surfboards on it and secure them with the straps, just like with a fixed roof rack.
If you’re a regular surfer in an area far from the sea, we recommend this option. With it, you won’t need a fixed roof rack on your vehicle; you can use different cars to get to the beach, and they’re very stable. Although the attachment may seem simple, the boards’ safety is optimal for transporting your surfboard on the road.
Magnetic Roof Rack
Magnetic roof racks are a variation on soft roof racks that work with a simple magnet system. Like soft roof racks, magnetic roof racks are easy to assemble and disassemble, and can be adapted to any vehicle. Their main distinguishing feature is that the straps attach to the roof itself, preventing them from hitting doors or requiring them to be stored inside the vehicle.
Magnetic roof racks are growing exponentially, as they allow us to transport our surfing equipment very efficiently. Furthermore, despite appearing to be a complex system, they are self-installable and very economical.
Lockrack
The Lockrack system consists of arms that open and close to adjust to the board’s dimensions. This simple method eliminates the need for straps to secure the board. It also includes a security key that prevents access to the board, thus preventing theft.
The main advantage is the convenience and speed of not having to secure the straps, as well as the security of having an integrated system with a protection key. The Lockrack is suitable for any car, prevents impacts on the roof, and is very easy to assemble. It also allows for transporting multiple boards at once, as it is adaptable, with different models available in various sizes.
Trunk
A roof rack is the most convenient option for transporting surfboards in a car. A roof rack consists of a closed compartment that is mounted on the roof rack of the car and allows you to transport various items inside. It’s a type of suitcase that attaches to the roof rack and completely protects the board.
There are several types of roof racks depending on the size of the boards, as well as racks for multiple boards. This option is very convenient because it doesn’t require ropes. However, you need a place to store the rack, keeping in mind that it significantly increases the height of your car and, in addition, the vehicle’s fuel consumption will be much higher.
Without a roof rack
For short distances, it’s possible to transport the surfboard on the roof of your vehicle without a roof rack. To do this, place a towel or other item on the roof of your car to avoid direct contact with it.
Next, secure the straps (at least two) and tie them down. The best place to secure the straps is usually the upper handholds inside the vehicle, as they provide the necessary tension to keep the boards from moving. Once the straps are secured, secure them to the vehicle’s doors and/or windows to create two points of support and prevent them from coming loose.
This type of practice should never be attempted over long distances or at high speeds, as the securement is not as good as with a roof rack. Furthermore, for safety reasons, we should carry no more than four boards at a time.
Can surfboards be carried in the car?
One of the most common options for transporting a surfboard is inside our car. This is because it’s more convenient, faster, and doesn’t require any additional equipment. However, you should be aware that carrying surfboards inside the car is prohibited by law, with fines of up to €200.
Surfers transport their boards in the car by folding down the passenger seat, inserting the boards through the trunk, and resting them on the flat seat. To secure them, they usually fasten the seat belt. Other times, the boards are secured between the driver and passenger seats, positioned vertically.
As we have previously stated, this technique should not be used, as it could result in an infraction. As stated in Article 14.1A: “Driving the vehicle in question with a load that could drag, fall, shift dangerously, or compromise the stability of the vehicle, without having the accessories that guarantee adequate protection or conditioning of the load.”
Additionally, in the event of an accident, the board is very dangerous and can hit the vehicle’s occupants. Furthermore, if not properly secured, it can become a throwing weapon or impede the driver’s ability to drive properly. Therefore, below we will explain how to transport the board on the roof of the car, avoiding fines and possible accidents.
How to place a surfboard on a car roof rack?
To place a surfboard on the roof of your car, you must be clear about several requirements.
- If you are carrying multiple boards, they should be stacked one on top of the other, with the largest being the bottom.
- The boards should be placed face down, with the fins facing up. For long trips, it is advisable to remove the fins, as this gives you extra grip.
- The best option is to place the fins facing forward, that is, position the surfboard facing away from the car. The shape of the board allows for a better view of the road.
- If you are carrying more than one board and need to stack them, you can place them alternately in different directions (some facing forward and some facing backward) to prevent the fins from digging in, or you can place them progressively further forward (although in these cases, it is recommended to remove the fins for better stacking).
- At least two straps should be used, one at the front and one at the rear. The rope should be taut to prevent it from coming loose during the trip.
- Place something under the boards to improve grip. If you don’t have a roof rack, you can place a towel to prevent the board from sliding on the roof. This will also prevent small bits of paraffin from sticking to the roof.
- The straps should be taut to prevent the boards from moving. The strap tensioning system is very simple, which increases the grip without stretching. Secure the excess rope to the doors and/or windows. If you don’t have a roof rack, tie them to the handholds inside the vehicle.
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