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Surfing is a worldwide sport that is always on the move, with wave riders chasing rollers across the continents year-round. Ecuadorian surfer Jorge Sangachi is one of those surfers and ran into an unexpected obstacle on Tuesday while checking in to fly home to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Ecuador. Sangachi was traveling with four surfboards, but told JetBlue Airways he only had two when asked by the customer service agent. The agent then required Sangachi to remove one board from his bag because their policy allows only one surfboard per bag.
Sangachi told The Inertia his flight was originally booked on 
United Airlines, but the carrier had switched his itinerary to JetBlue, and he was surprised by the airline’s single surfboard policy. An Instagram post from Tuesday morning shows Sangachi sticking a surfboard into a nearby trash can and has generated hundreds of comments. “I begged and begged, but it didn’t work,” Sangachi said. “It was horrible. We spent an hour arguing, but I still had to leave a board.” He also said that he hopes a surfer finds and takes his board to enjoy.
All Surfboards Are Not Created Equal
The average surfboard weighs only six to 15 pounds (2.72 to 6.8 kilograms), depending on its type, size, materials, and construction. Surfboard length varies, depending on your riding style. Surfboards can measure from 5’2″ (1.57 meters) to over 10 feet (3.05 meters) and are chosen depending on the rider’s height, skill level, and wave height. Shorter boards are ideal for quick, cutting turns and are typically used by advanced riders. Longer boards provide more stability, which can make it easier to catch waves.
A traveling surfer may need a variety of boards, depending on the surf conditions at their destination. It’s also common to have a backup board or two, because they can break when pounded by heavy surf or when gliding over subsurface rocks. Travel bags for surfboards can carry up to four boards and weigh 7 to 10 pounds (3.18 to 4.54 kilograms).
The World Surf League (WSL) profile for Sangachi shows he competed in events from 2021 to 2023, with a best result of 17th place. Sangachi posted a video showing him putting his surfboard in the trash. In an accompanying comment, he said, “Sad to leave my board in NYC! If you’re a surfer and you travel with more than one surfboard make sure you don’t travel on JetBlue!” Sangachi has over 20,600 Instagram followers and received 347 comments on his video as of Friday afternoon.
JetBlue commented on the incident in a statement to Simple Flying.
“We understand how important it is for customers traveling with sports equipment to know what to expect before arriving at the airport. JetBlue accepts surfboards as checked sporting equipment, subject to specific packing, size and quantity requirements, including a limit of one surfboard per bag.”
Different Airlines, Different Rules
Airlines have rules and restrictions for every type of baggage, and their purpose isn’t only ancillary income. The ramp agents who load each flight bear the burden of loading each item, whether it’s into a massive sliding container known as a “can” for larger planes, or piece by piece on smaller planes. Repetitive lifting of heavy or odd-shaped items can take a toll on the body and cause debilitating arm, back, or shoulder injuries over time. These fees cover the airline’s medical insurance costs for prescribed physical therapy, surgeries, and workers’ comp claims while also providing additional revenue.
On JetBlue’s sports gear site, the airline recommends surfboards travel in a hard-sided case, and only one surfboard is allowed per case. Soft bags are not covered by liability. JetBlue considers a surfboard a standard checked bag and does not charge additional sports equipment fees.
Surf’s Up, Will Travel
While Oahu’s North Shore is famous for big wave surfing, the best waves are only there from November to February. If you go in the summer, the beautiful beaches are still there, but the waters are relatively calm. Bali, Indonesia, is known for great surfing from April through October, thanks to Indian Ocean swells hitting its western shores. Portugal is also a popular surfing location in the autumn and winter months, with Nazaré being home to waves that can top 100 feet (30.48 meters).
While surfing may be a free sport once you’re on the beach, it’s not a cheap activity. A new surfboard can cost $300 to $1,000. Once you have that, a flight to one of these exotic locations can be pricey. Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon is Portugal’s international gateway. Right now, a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to LIS can be had for $539 round trip from November 17-22 on Air Europa. For Bali, you’d fly into I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). The cheapest time to go is mid-April, when you can get a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to DPS for $918, booked through Cathay Pacific or American Airlines.
