Hey Ciaran,

I just flew home from Lanzarote with Aer Lingus and I was in the same predicament. When I was booking the flight I went through all the baggage stuff too and it says you can book a surf board for €30 but further down the page it says you cannot prebook windsurf gear.

I was thinking of booking 3 bags on cos I had my clothes bag plus my gear which was a quiver and a double board bag. In the end I just booked my clothes bag (which can weigh up to 20kgs).

It was crazy, when I got to the check in they were stinging everyone for being even 2kgs over the 20kgs for their clothes so I was getting worried. Before I packed I made sure my bag was less than 20kgs, always good to get off on the right foot! Plus it's really important your equipment doesn't weigh over 32kgs per bag as that's the absolute limit the handlers are allowed to carry and if they weigh it and you're over you could be in a serious pickle! So don't be tempted to overload one bag, just take 2.

Anyways, I'm so used to taking gear on flights, I've taken over a dozen recently! The usual applies, always try and check in with the soundest loking person. I know that sounds ridiculous but in Lanzarote I was in the queue for this older lady and she was stinging everyone for excess so I jumped ship to the next queue to a young girl who didn't seem to care. Also, try and make your gear look as small as possible, like stack it ontop of itself! and most importantly, never go up with a guitly look on your face and never get angry or go on the defensive, they'll really screw you over when they know you're pissed off!

Just say you have 'one set' of windsurfing gear, try never explain exactly what's in the bag cos it sounds colossal! And lastly, unless it's free or really really cheap, never accept the first price charge they offer you, haggle the hell out of them, but always with a smile on your face!

 

So, long story short, I got to the check-in at Aer Lingus and I did all the above and got it on for FREE! Pretty unusual these days but sweet as. In Maui this year and all the times before they've asked for anything up to $400 for the quiver (4 sails,2masts, 1boom) and double board bag and I've never had to pay over $200, you just have to chance your arm! In Oz this year it was different, they're really sticky on gear, so when there's no getting around it always check the ariline's policy like you did and if it looks like there's no way around it, then prebook it on!

 

Phew, hope that wasn't too long winded, I could write a book about it at this stage!

Have a great holiday, and remember golfers get their gear on for free so why the hell shouldn't we!??!!

Katie