Hi there,

I know there may well be an answer to my question somewhere in the forum but I'd be buggered if if can find one so here goes;

Heading to Maui next month for 2 weeks.

Decided to take our own gear (hire is upwards from $765AUD for 12 days, all in).

However, the Hawaiian Airlines website isn't very clear at all on the charges, see below....

What exactly do we mean by windsurfing equipment?
Windsurfing equipment is defined as: One Windsurfing Board with a boom and one Mast and Sail
- OR -
Any one portion of the windsurfing equipment as defined above

Charges;

Australia:
Maximum Length: 115 inches in length (292 cm)
Maximum Weight: 70 lbs (32 kg)1 checked piece / per way
From Hawaii / North America to Australia $150 USD
From Australia to Hawaii / North America $150 AUD

Now, we plan on taking 2 x boards and 1 sail bag with (4 x sails, 4 x masts and 2 x booms). The total weight of the sail bag would be less than 32Kg. Each of us will not be checking in luggage - only a carry on.

So, as our kit has 2 extra masts & 2 extra sails do we get slammed $150 for each i.e. $600???? + $450 for the 3 bags???

Or do we just get charged $150 per bag (regardless of their content) i.e. $450??

Or do they mean;

1st - 1 board, 1 sail , 1 mast, 1 boom
2nd - 1 board, 1 sail, 1 mast, 1 boom 3
3rd - 1 sail and 1 mast
4th - 1 sail and 1 mast
I.E. Totaling $600AUD out $600USD back......

When I call they just read out the policy off the net, when I email they just cut & paste the policy......

I just need an answer.

Question;

Does anyone have any experience of taking kit over and bringing it back and what were you charged???

Last year I went I brought a new FSW board in Maui and even though the guys in the shop packaged it in a SUP box with Sup info all over it (they don't charge for SUPs); checkin made me cut open the box to prove it was a SUP and instantly knew from the tail it was a FSW board.....then slogged me $150USD.

If anyone can help or give advice I'd be exceedingly grateful......

Thanks in advance,

Danny

Double check but i think theres a lower than 32kg per bag at the australian end now. OH and $

I have taken my gear all over the place, I pack my gear and if checkin ask questions, I answer them in most favourable way possible...

i.e. I put two boards in coffin bag (if asked that's my board with some clothes)
My sail bag sometime 4 sails, boom etc, (if asked that some sails and more clothes)
I try to avoid a discussion about windsurfing, its just surboard and some sails...

Never taken gear to maui, but I have heard and can understand that its one of the few places in the world where the check in staff know what windsurfing really is.

My advice is put roll the extra sails in the same same sail bag, and put the extra mast in the same mast bag, You might find you now have just got one sail, one mast, and one board each...

I would say your less likely to have a problem on the Australia side, than on the Maui side,

Dig around more about rental gear. I have friends that fly over all the time and rent gear. Check with Maui Windsurfing Co, Second Wind, etc. I know some guys hook up with a pro from Maui sails and rent as well. Might be a good idea to call the shops if you can and nicely ask for help, the folks over there are pretty nice and may be able to offer a discount. I'm heading down to Mokule'ia in about 20 minutes (if the rain blows outta here), my buddy has a son that lives on Maui, I'll ask for some advice.

Thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it.

Really keen to hear if you get any advice from your buddy's son JKimbler, thanks mate.


I sent another email to HA;


Aloha,

Thanks for your reply. So, as I understand even of there are only three pieces of luggage, we would be charged by what's in the 'sail bag? Do I read that correctly?

If my maths is correct. That would mean 4 x $150AUD one way to Maui and 4 x $150USD one way back to Australia? That's $1,000 USD. More than the cost of the flight. A little outrageous don't you think?

I've taken windsurf kit around the world and never been charged that much - ever.

Regards,

Danny


Anyway I got a response in writing from HA;


Aloha Danny,

Thank you for your email.

The charges are 4 x AU$150.00 for the flight from Australia and 4 x US$150.00 for the flight from Hawaii/North America.

We understand when you mentioned that the charges are "a little outrageous" however we have to make sure that we are providing you the correct information to avoid future problems.

We truly appreciate your comment and rest assured that this feedback will be forwarded to our managers for their review and proper handling.

Thank you for choosing Hawaiian Airlines as your travel partner.

Mahalo,

Saldy/G5A
Hawaiian Airlines Reservations


Looks like we'll be hiring then.

What gripes me is that we could rock up with 2 X SUPS for $0 charge........

I just flew to Melbourne to Maui via Honolulu last week. Return.

Fly Jetstar to Honolulu. Then hawaiin to Maui. This is the best value

Make sure you don't fly domestic Australia with Jetstar. They have maximum 2m length. No problem however from australia to Hawaii. Therefore get direct flights.

All that rubbish on the hawaiin website about measuring the length plus width plus height doesn't exist in real life. Here is what actually happens:

you arrive at the airport for self check in . You tick the box that says kite surfing or windsurfing equipment and pay $35 USD. Each way. Each bag. You then hand the WindSurfer to the luggage guy Who takes it away.

I actually packed two sails, a mast, a boom and a surfboard in one windsurfing surfboard bag. It weighed 16kg. No questions.

Alternatively email Matt Pritchard to arrange hire gear. Look at this. http://pritchardwindsurfing.com/gear-maui/

Matt can also book your accom. I've have used Matt 5 times in the last four years. Awesome bloke. Get a lesson from him!!!!!!

Don't get caught up on the specifics of their website. I have never been charged flying out of Sydney and only on occasion flying out from Maui heading home. Going with Hawaiian is great because they check your gear all the way through for you so you don't need to stress about the inter island flights. I would suggest one board, one boom, one mast and all your bits and pieces in a board bag and three sails rolled up in one roll in a small separate quiver bag. The last twice I've been I haven't paid an extra cent that way. It does come down to a bit of luck and picking the right check in person though.

I hear your pain. With the dollar the way it is, rental gear which is usually 2 sail, 1 board and rigging goes for $350 / week. Add 30% for the exchange rate.

I just came back from 2 weeks in Maui, travelled with Hawaiian. Carried 2 double board bags and a quiver bag (my son also sails) and didn't pay anything. So keep the following in mind.

Surfing equipment travels for free - this includes sup's. But it's weight limit is 24kg and can only be 2 boards per bag.

In bris I checked 3 bags of surf equipment. Don't mention windsurf - period.

On the way home, use the kerb side check in guys. They don't work for the airlines and don't ask questions. They will check you in, and take your luggage directly from your car. They generally get tipped $2 per bag, but we had 8 bags including all the sailing gear so slipped old mate $40.

I was prepared to pay hawaiian a couple of hundred coming home because the check in guys in Maui are a bit more cluey regarding gear. And hey it would have still been cheaper.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip.

Forgot to mention you will have to transfer your gear in honolulu. The transfer counter wont accept oversize so you will have to carry / drag about 500 metres. It is already checked so you wont get held up, but its a bit of an effort if you have a lot of gear and kids....

ahhh the old flying with kit game

I lived all over the world for about 6 years and took kit with me everywhere. uk to Ireland, morocco, cabo verde, canaries, back to aus, oman and you NEVER know until you get to the check in gate. I used to fly with one board, three sails, two masts, one boom and all bits and i's almost always get away with using my big coffin bag (hint - lift it up a bit on your leg on the scales to reduce weight at check in)

best bet is to do your research online but it sounds like HA suck for travel with kit.

one tip is don't mention windsurf gear! I got stung flying London to masirah island in oman for 500 pounds, so $1000. however from there back to aus I got it on free because I said it was golfing gear (which flies for free with almost all airlines!). kiting bags now are branded as golf bags for this reason

so its always a gamble its nice to have your own kit.

in saying that, I spent two weeks on maui in 2013 and had epic hire gear and could swap and try different boards, sails for the whole time. that was good and almost worth the money - and also not having the stress of flying with kit

oh one more thing. id recommend, if flying with kit, get a ticket that will enable you to check your baggage all the way through to your final destination - DONT fly internally with one airline then change airlines as you'll have to collect then check in your kit and this is where you'll get stung both on time, and with your back pocket.

have fun - it's always an adventure flying with gear

Thanks again guys, I appreciate the advice.

Anyone ever rented off Second Wind?

Anyone had to deal with breakages etc on rental gear? Were they good about it?

They were good, nice gear, Ezzy sails and Fanatic boards Chinook booms/bases- no hassles - email them and ask for a price if paying in advance.

Swap sails and boards anytime they are open - even swap board for SUP if you have any windless days.

I think you'll find that most of the rental places are the same.

Just heard from my buddy, Second Wind sounds like the best place to rent gear. Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport was the best shop but unfortunately they went out of business.

Not the first thread on this that I have responded to, but I'm willing to jump in again.
Been to Maui for windsurfing many times, I never take any gear besides my harness, I have a personal relationship with my harness, kinda like your favorite pair of shoes.
Renting, way too easy, and waaaaay more convenient, besides it's always gear that is more current than my own, so I enjoy trying out newer stuff.
Damage, they have that covered, don't worry about it.
Exchanges, they have that covered, don't like the board(s) or the sails, exchange them for free.
All the rental shops on Maui (the north shore only) have pretty much the same deals, just check them out to see who has the gear you like the best.
Money, from the U.S., extra baggage costs run very close to renting, but a bit less, but when you consider the hassle and worry that is avoided, it is so worth it.
Consider the amount of money you are going to spend on your trip anyway, and what %'age of the cost would be to rent as, opposed to paying extra to bring your own. You will find that it is a very small %'age of what you are going to spend anyway.

I always come home to my gear that has zero damage from the trip, because it stayed at home, safe and sound.
Also I have the option of bringing some kind of newer gear back with me as I have done in the past.

I took an empty board bag with me one time because I was in need of a newer board, so I figured I had nothing to loose. The board bag was rolled up tight and they didn't charge me any extra (but that was about 15 years ago). Anyway, I found the board that I needed, bought it, used it, then bagged it for my trip back (with extra padding like towels and clothes inside the board bag), they charged me $40 extra, but I got a very nice board back home w/o any damage. Good deal, something to consider.

Gidday DM.
ive had a few trips ..and lugged my fair share of windsurfing gear around airports .Its a pain and have been hit hard on charges ..also you have to think off getting it to the airport and out of the airport ..so a normal taxi is out .It seems crazy to take gear to maui ...as there is so much gear over there ..I just write the hiring charges off as travel expenses ..and its alot less hassle for you ,and the worry of getting your favourite board getting trashed buy airline baggage handlers .
I'd hire ..and save the head ache .hands free.
Maui has the best hire gear ..me and a friend had 10 days ..changed our gear ..twice tried new boards ..they looked at us funny when we said we'd need 6.5 's ..we found out the hard way ..4.0 5.0 5.5 .is the go ..or swap the next day if need be .
the only place I take gear to is Fiji ..now ...not to good there ...if any ....

hope you have a ball ...you will.

the people are nice in Maui specially if your a windsurfer .

Thanks for the responses guys, I'm leaning towards rental option now. Purely to avoid stress & possible charges which could exceed rental anyway.

Just gotta decide where to hire from now......

Select to expand quote

DMs said..
Thanks again guys, I appreciate the advice.

Anyone ever rented off Second Wind?

Anyone had to deal with breakages etc on rental gear? Were they good about it?

I've rented from Adventure Sports in Maui twice now- part of the deal with the Aloha windsurfing clinics with Matt Pritchard and Shawna Cropas. Both times I had some minor issues with wear and tear, and they were cool with it, so I didn't pay anything. First time was a tear in a sail that had previously been repaired, so they took that as a sign that the sail was on its way out. Second one was some stitching starting to come undone- I took it back before something failed, and they recognised that as a manufacturing problem. I probably saved the sail from destruction by swapping it. Nor was it really the shop's fault either time, so it was no drama. Of course, if you trash the gear you'd have to expect to pay, but they didn't seem to get hung up on minor issues. The Maui sun is probably the worst enemy.

By the way, I stayed solo last year in Paia, looking for cheapish accom, but it still ended up being about AUD150 per night.