Finally gathered the courage to buy your first new board, but unsure how to transport it to and from the surf spot? Is your car too small to fit it inside? Today, we're introducing various practical methods for carrying and securing your board!
Board Inside the Car
Board on the Roof
Roof racks come in two main types: hard and soft. I've used both and found them to be quite practical.
Soft Rack Pros: Easy to carry/usable on a friend's car/cheaper/no need to buy extra straps
Soft Rack Cons: Rain can enter the car/takes a bit of effort to set up and take down
Hard Rack Pros: Stable!
Hard Rack Cons: More expensive/professional installation required/additional straps needed/the way you tie it down is crucial
(*I don't recommend the T**L brand. I almost lost my gear on the freeway once, so I switched to the more expensive Y brand, which is still working well.)
As mentioned, the way you tie it down is crucial. Here are some tips for using tie-down straps with a hard roof rack:
One Strap Method
At first, I thought this was amazing and super convenient, so I bought a long strap right away. Although it never failed me, I still don't highly recommend it. Using one strap to secure two roof rack points leaves gaps, and in order to tighten it as much as possible, I ended up compressing my fiberglass board with the strap marks (panic).
I only recommend this method for short trips, like from a hostel to the surf spot, where you won't exceed 80 km/h. But if you're going faster (like on a highway) and don't tighten the straps super tight, the board will wobble up and down, which I can't handle QQ.
Classic Two-Strap Method
The short two-strap method shown here is very stable but a bit of a hassle, as you often have to run back and forth between sides. It's easy to get the hang of, and here are some key points to share:
1. Why does the board still wobble when driving?
After tightening, if the board still wobbles like at the end of the video, it might be because you've installed a rack pad (which is slippery). Try pushing the straps towards the center and then tighten them again. Repeat this step for all four attachment points, and the board will be stable!
2. Everything is secure! But what about the long tail of the strap?
If it's a sunny day, I, the lazy person, just open the car door and clamp the strap in the door gap. But if it's raining, you'll have to wrap it around a few more times and tie the knot outside. Otherwise, if it's raining and the strap is clamped in the door gap, water will flow in along the strap! And don't leave it untied and flapping in the wind; it'll drive you crazy.
3. What if I need to carry multiple boards?
If you have more than two boards, remove the fins, stack them with the bottom facing up and the tail facing forward.
Special Surfboard Straps
They're pretty much the same, but the difference is that ordinary straps usually have metal buckles, which often need to be thrown from one side of the car to the other. If you're not careful, that slightly heavy metal part can hit the roof of the car. It's okay if it's your car, but if it's someone else's... better not! So some surf brands make special straps for surfboards, usually with plastic buckles or an additional layer of protection to prevent scratching the car. If you have the budget, I recommend getting these!
I'm curious about what straps you all use. I've tried many before finding my current favorite. If you liked this article and want more tips in the future, please leave a comment to let me know!
