Travelling in a van with several boards: how to optimize space?
When you leave (or travel) in a van and surf regularly, one question quickly comes to mind: how do you transport your surfboards in a van? Between boards of different sizes, wet wetsuits and everyday gear, every centimeter counts. Here’s a comprehensive guide for all van surfers who want to keep their quiver varied, without sacrificing comfort or mobility.
Are van and surf compatible?
Travelling by van to surf is the perfect combo on paper… but in reality, even carrying a single board can quickly become a real challenge. Depending on the layout of your van and the size of your board, you’ll have to juggle space, circulation and equipment protection. If you’re keen to progress and want to invest in a second board, but you’re wondering how you’re going to store them in your van, this article is for you!
1 - Why travel with several boards?
When you decide to base your trip around surfing and go in search of waves, one thing quickly becomes clear: one board is not enough. Sure, you might think you’re taking along your favorite board, the one you surf with 80% of the time. But once you’re on the road, conditions change, spots vary, and so do your desires. Each session calls for a different board style.
Setting off in a van with several boards is above all a question of adaptability. This allows you to maximize your sessions, to adapt to the weather, swell, tide and wind conditions, and above all to enjoy yourself, day after day. Alternate between a playful fish and a more nervous shortboard, bring out a longboard for small swells, or test a different shape to progress and get out of your comfort zone.
2. Space constraints in a van
Travelling by van offers a unique feeling of freedom… but this freedom comes at a price: limited space. When you add to this the need to carry several surfboards, the challenge becomes real. Unlike a house or garage, where storage is rarely an issue, a van is an ultra-optimized space, where every inch counts. And transporting a complete quiver can quickly turn into a headache if you’re not intelligently organized.
1 – Floor space: a complicated combination
Even with an optimized layout, the floor space of a van is still very limited. Adding one or more rigid boards quickly complicates daily life: placed on the floor, slid under the bed or leaning against the walls, they become obstacles that must be constantly moved to cook, access a cupboard or simply stand up. With two or more on board, cohabitation quickly becomes a headache… or even a danger in the event of a fall or damaged equipment.
2 – Ceiling height: a plank ceiling
In a conventional van (1.40 to 1.90 m high), a 1.70 to 2.75 m board is difficult to fit. Often suspended under the roof or lying down, they impede circulation and prevent standing. Some tinker with fastening systems, but they are rarely suitable for several boards. Bear in mind that if you’re planning to take a longboard with you, it’s going to be difficult to store in any case, due to its long length. Still, it has to fit in your van…
3 – Fragile equipment: boards to be spared
A surfboard, especially one made of resin or epoxy, remains fragile. In a van in constant motion, there’s a high risk of impact, rubbing or deformation, even with a cover. Stacked, poorly secured or crushed by other items, they quickly become damaged.
3- The different types of storage for transporting surfboards in a van
Transporting surfboards in a van requires organization, and every nook and cranny becomes a strategic issue. There are several storage solutions, adapted to different types of vehicles and quivers. Here’s a complete overview of the most popular options.
Option 1 :
The most common solution is to fasten your boards to the van’s ceiling, using turnbuckles, hooks or homemade hanging racks. This frees up the entire floor space while keeping your boards accessible. However, this method considerably reduces headroom and can quickly become uncomfortable, especially in vans without a pop-up roof. It remains suitable for one or two short boards, but becomes hardly viable with a longboard or several boards.
Option 2 :
Another option for transporting surfboards in a van is to install wall-mounted racks on the outside of the van, attached to the van walls and often padded with foam to protect the rails. This makes it possible to store boards along the length of your van, but requires a precise layout. Boards are stored on the outside of the van, so no space is wasted on logistics inside. On the other hand, bear in mind that when you’re away or asleep, for example, they remain exposed… and all it takes is a moment’s inattention for them to disappear.
Option 3 :
For those with a fixed bed, a drawer or sliding box can be fitted under the bunk, accessible from the rear of the van. This is a highly effective solution for protecting boards while making them easily accessible. This system can store shortboards and slightly larger boards, but quickly reaches its limits with longboards. It also requires a higher-than-average bed, which can be a problem in a low-ceilinged van.
Option 4 :
Some travellers also make use of the vertical spaces available between two pieces of furniture, such as between the kitchen and a partition or between the storage unit and the van wall. In this way, a board can be slid upright or at a slight angle, held in place with a strap or foam wedge. This solution is simple, quick to install and requires no work, but offers little stability and may hinder the opening of drawers or passage on board.
Option 5 :
The van roof also remains a popular solution, especially with roof racks or a rigid box (such as a Thule or custom-built box). This allows you to transport several boards, including a longboard, without taking up valuable space inside the van. On the other hand, it adds height to the vehicle, which can complicate access to certain parking lots or increase toll charges. What’s more, boards are exposed to the elements, to heat, and potentially to theft if unprotected.
4 - One solution: Newave removable boards
Faced with space constraints in a van, Newave offers you a solution that’s both ingenious and practical: dismountable, modular surfboards specially designed for travelers. Made up of two or three parts that are easily assembled by hand, without tools, these boards offer performance equivalent to that of a classic board, while meeting the needs of adventurers perfectly. You can interchange the parts to form new shapes!
Removable, modular boards
Two formats are offered by Newave to suit the profiles of itinerant surfers. The first, the 2-board pack, allows you to interchange the parts of two different boards to create 2 new boards adapted to different conditions.
The second, even more versatile format is the 7-piece quiver. This pack of eight interchangeable parts allows you to create up to nine different boards, from shortboards to longboards, as well as a variety of models.
A made-to-measure bag
This system represents a real revolution for vanlifers. Once disassembled, the parts take up very little space and can easily be stored in a bag (124 × 60 × 47 cm for the wheeled bag including 9 boards). In addition to saving space, these boards offer unrivalled versatility: there’s no need to carry several cumbersome boards, just assemble the right elements to adapt your quiver to the conditions of the day.
5 - a board optimized for your van
Their ultra-compact storage format is a great advantage. Once disassembled, the parts fit into a sturdy bag, available in two sizes: the M model (for 2-board packs – 4 combinations) measures 124 × 60 × 25 cm, while the L model (for the 8-board quiver – 9 combinations) is 124 × 60 × 47 cm. A backpack for a single board is also available, measuring 110 x 55 x 23 cm.
In a Renault Trafic, VW Transporter or Fiat Ducato, trunks 80 to 100 cm deep, 70 to 140 cm wide, and 35 to 60 cm high are usually sufficient to accommodate a size M Newave bag, and often also a size L bag. The bag can be stored flat in a trunk, vertically between two pieces of furniture, or even in a side compartment, depending on the configuration of your van. The result: a better organized van, protected gear, and more freedom to enjoy the waves.
Thanks to its wheeled bag, the Newave quiver slips directly into the van’s hold, under the bed or in the trunk. No need to sacrifice space, all your gear travels discreetly… and safely.
Below you can see the L bag stored in the trunk of two converted vans.
6 - Comparison: rigid boards vs. dismountable van boards
Criteria | Classic boards | Newave removable boards |
Bulk | Very important | Low (spare part) |
Total weight (3 boards) | 18 to 24 kg | Approx. 12 kg |
Dimensions | Shortboard 6’4 = 193 cm Mini Malibu 7’6 = 231 cm Longboard 9’0 = 274 cm And about 12 cm thick without protective cover | 124 × 60 × 25 cm model M (4 sheets) 124 × 60 × 47 cm model L (9 boards) |
Transporting a longboard | Difficult | Easy to disassemble |
Fragility during travel | High | Low (protected parts) |
Board adaptability | Low (one board = 1 use) | Strong (multiple combinations) |
Van storage | Complex | Single (chest, under one bed) |
Assembly time | N/A | Less than 2 minutes |
Conclusion
Transporting several boards in a van is often a headache. Between bulk, fragility and lack of space, you soon find yourself having to make compromises. With Newave dismountable boards, the hassle is over: a single compact bag can hold up to 9 different boards, easy to store and ready to surf.
It’s the ideal solution for anyone who wants to travel light without giving up the diversity of their quiver. No need to choose between comfort and performance: Newave lets you have both.
Retrouve-nous
📍2 Allée Titouan Lamazou
85340 Les Sables-d’Olonne
Ou contacte-nous
📞07.82.86.43.84
✒️contact@newavesurf.fr
