Hey guys,

End of next month im off to Fiji for a holiday and taking the kitesurfing gear with me. This will be my first time traveling out of the country so im keen to hear of any tips you may have from past experiences dealing with kitesurfing equipment and customs amounst other things..

I have been kindly given a large kiteboard wheeled bag that will take by board a couple of kites and wettie.

If anyone has tips and stuff please let me know... dont need any nasty surprises at the airport if i can avoid it.

Cheers, Joe

Anyone, anything?

Print the free sports baggage allowance off the airlines website and keep it in your pocket at check in.. saves stress

I take my stuff in a real wheeled golf bag - they are awesome.

Thanks for the tip Ian. Will def be doing that.

I cant afford to get a real wheeled golf bag so the prolimit one i've been given will have to do.

do you realy need a wet suit in fiji?

make sure your kit is super clean. particulary when coming back into nz. customs get niggly about dirt and muck and bits of fish....

hahah don't try and smuggle any fruit back into the country. that makes them real pissed.

weigh your stuff before you go so you know your within the limits. from memory its a 10kg sports equipment allowance.

above all don't have too much fun. think of us poor bastards in nz with poo weather conditions

Haha your right plummet... I wont be taking my wetsuit with me.. Only several pairs of boardshorts..

Yeah it is 10kg for sports equip.. so i should be all good.

Ill be having the most fun possible.. got to make up for your lack of...

Thats good to know about the clean gear, i guess its just common sense really... so once everything is rinsed off well it should be fine. fingers crossed...

Gidday, the trades dont really kick in consistently til late July. Depends where you are going but the windiest spot is without doubt Nananu-i-ra island at the northern tip of the main island. Its a about F$100taxi to RakiRaki then catch a $30 boat from there. The main kiting is on the northern side (check out Safari Lodge on google). warren does it for $30/night accom and a food package for $50/day or you can hire a 'bure' at either McDonalds or Bethams where you cook for yourself (no hot water) about $120/night for 3 people. We had a good time at Safari Lodge - its well set up for kiting and the food was great. Other spots - I've kited at Robinson Crusoe which was nice flat water but not as windy as further east on the Coral coast. Much of the Coral Coast (the south west coast) is too shallow and rocky to kite. There is a spot just to the West of 'The Fijian'. Its a big bay just to the left of the hotel as you look at the hotel on google. Denarau is hopeless July-Oct. Plantation Island does get some wind in the arvos and has some decent flat water in spots. Have a good time. Cheers. PS Booties can be a good idea as you often end up crossing edges of reefs and coral is a bastard. take some antiseptic cream for coral cuts. We got heaps. Think about basic repair stuff/spares too coz theres no-one to help you (aprt from at Safari Lodge -he does repairs)