1. Use hard cases.
You know that travel hard cases http://www.ebay.com/bhp/double-surfboard-bag are designed to protect your surfboard while traveling.

2. Arrive early to the airport.
The check-in process can take too long, be prepared with some time in advance for any oversized luggage.

3. Ask for an adequate transportation service.
You might need some extra space for your ride and sometimes taxi cabs don't provide it. Ask for an airport shuttle shuttlewizard.com or a private SUV to get suitable space for your equipment.

4. Check baggage requirements and airline conditions.
Each airline has different baggage conditions including weight allowance, dimensions, number of bags, charges and extra fees. Call the airline directly or visit their website to seek clarification on requirements before making your reservation.

5. Find a Surfer Friendly Bro Airline.
Most of the following airlines include a surfboard as part of your regular bag allowance and let that sled fly for FREE.
KLM (NEW 2015)
Virgin (Europe)
Interjet (Mexico)
Qantas (Australia)
South Africa (duh)2
Air New Zealand
Singapore (New to bro list 2015)

Add Hawaiian Airlines to your bro list.

might add it pays to upgrade your ticket to get xtra baggage allowance rather than pay the overweight charges.....
on a recent work /surf trip to nZ ( Cooly to Auck)sent my work gear and board 9.3 ,air freighted separately , on arrival found the customs/MAF don't open weekends ... ...had to go to 2 different agencies to get paperwork ... ...the cost all up with the MAF fees was $700 for 1 mal and 30kgs in 1 packing box & I had to bring it all back so $1400 all up ..