Editor’s note: This feature was supported by our friends at ULI Boards.
There’s a reason people say they love traveling but hate flying. Surf travel is exciting. The anticipation. The arrival. Breathing new air. Different languages. Foreign waves. But generally speaking, airlines – which have sufficiently commodified the notion of personal space – don’t take kindly to surfboards. On numerous occasions, I’ve unzipped a board bag to find a board dinged. And on every occasion I’ve flown with surfboards that I can remember, I myself have been dinged. And right where it hurts. Square in the wallet.
But what if I told you there’s an alternative to exorbitant board bag fees and the chance of a dinged or snapped surfboard with little chance of recourse? What if I told you there’s a surfboard that fits in the overhead compartment? Interest piqued?
ULI – a San Diego-based company that specializes in inflatable surfboards and SUPS – recently launched a range of surfboards that, when uninflated, literally roll into a duffle bag no bigger than your average carry-on.
On a performance level, it should be noted that ULI ain’t trying to replace your daily driver – but, maybe your favorite foamie. After putting ULI’s 7’6″ Proto Surf and their 5’3″ Nomad Surfboard to the test, the consensus in the office is the feel is unique and unlike any other sensation of riding a wave. Almost like surfing on a cloud.
I should note that ULI isn’t the first company seeking to find a solution to the headaches associated with traveling with a surfboard. A while back we reviewed a modular surfboard meant to do the same thing. They also aren’t the first to make inflatables. But, ULI’s claim to fame is really how well they’ve engineered these things, and that they’re made in the good ol’ US of A.
Their patented WikiRail technology, for instance, gives the board a hard edge along the rail line near the tail making the board less likely to slide out on you when you put it on rail. And ULI’s Kevlar technology also increases stiffness and durability.
Plus, you can’t beat how easy it is to throw this thing in the back of your car (no wax needed, so no melted wax) and inflate when the waves call for it.
ULI’s Nomad Surfboard retails for $895 and their Proto Surf retails for $995. For more information check out their website here.
