Whether you are counting down the days to that annual camping and surf trip with some friends or scanning the web for the best deal on an exotic and designer surf resort, one thing is fore sure, summer is here and it is time for that Surfing getaway we all dream of! Planning for the ultimate surf trip should be part of the fun and with so many unique destinations to explore, it only makes sense to fine-tune your quiver for the adventure!

Often Surfers come to me and explain how they are taking some 3- week hall pass from responsibility to venture off into a remote and wave rich corner of the world. It is easy to get excited for them and even imagine myself rolling up on some warm and sunny beach with perfection just reeling off in front of me! I can picture it now. Showing up with a quiver of fresh boards that are made for the exact wave types of the destination at hand. Knowing I have the right board for the immediate size and conditions, I hit the line-up hard with confidence in knowing that my board was as meant to be there as I was.

It seems like my fantasy is almost always shattered though when the soon-to-be explorer explains to me that they are just going to pack a few old beaters boards and a step-up that was made for Hawaii in case it gets big. As a shaper and surfboard connoisseur that just breaks my heart. It is like going on a deep sea fishig trip with a stick, a string, coat hanger and a can of corn for bait! Well maybe it is not that bad but how could you spend all that time and money chasing perfect waves and skimp by saving a few bucks on the most important part of the surfing experience? YOUR SURFBOARDS!!!

Now maybe I am a bit partial but I have always been an advocate of being prepared when venturing off the beaten path on a wave search. When asked what would be the perfect quiver for a specific surf adventure, I always ask the same questions.

• Where are you heading?
• What are the typical conditions the time of year you are going? Is it hollow? Mushy? Big? Warm?
• How many boards do you want to take? (These days you have to really consider what airline you fly too)
• What is the board breaking potential and is there any repair service where you are headed?

The next step is to design boards that best suit both the body and ability of the surfer as well as the wave types they will be surfing. That is the beauty of being able to talk to a shaper.

So when you are thinking of chasing some waves around the globe, seriously consider the boards you choose to bring. It can really make a great surfing experience into a unforgettable and incredible one! Happy Travels!