Traveling in a van with multiple skateboards: how to optimize space?
When you travel in a van and surf regularly, one question quickly arises: how do you transport your surfboards? Between boards of different sizes, wet wetsuits, and everyday essentials, every centimeter counts. Here's a complete guide for all vanlife surfers who want to maintain a diverse quiver without sacrificing comfort or mobility.
Van life and surfing: are they compatible?
Traveling by van to surf sounds like the perfect combination on paper… but in reality, even transporting a single board can quickly become a real challenge. Depending on your van's layout and the size of your board, you have to juggle available space, movement inside, and protecting your equipment. If you want to improve your surfing and are considering investing in a second board but are wondering how to store them in your van, this article is for you!
1. Why travel with multiple boards?
When you decide to base your trip around surfing and head out in search of waves, one thing quickly becomes clear: a single board isn't enough . Sure, you might think you'll just bring 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 preferences. Each session calls for a different style of board.
Traveling by van with multiple boards is first and foremost about adaptability. It allows you to maximize your sessions, adapt to the weather conditions, the swell, the tide, the wind, and above all, have fun, day after day. You can alternate between a playful fish and a more responsive shortboard, bring out a longboard for smaller swells, or try a different shape to progress and step outside your comfort zone.
2. Space constraints in a van
Traveling by van offers a unique feeling of freedom… but this freedom comes at a price: limited space . When you add to that the need to transport 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 centimeter counts. And transporting a complete quiver can quickly become a headache if you're not smart about it.
1 – Floor space: a complicated coexistence
Even with an optimized layout, the floor space in a van remains very limited. Adding one or more rigid boards quickly complicates daily life: placed on the floor, slid under the bed, or leaned against the walls, they become obstacles that must be constantly moved to cook, access a cupboard, or simply stand up. With two or more people on board, cohabitation quickly becomes a headache… or even a danger in case of a fall or damaged equipment.
2 – Ceiling height: a ceiling… made of planks
In a standard van (1.40m to 1.90m high), a 1.70m to 2.75m surfboard is difficult to fit. Often suspended under the roof or laid flat, they obstruct movement and prevent standing up. Some people rig up mounting systems, but these are rarely suitable for multiple boards. Keep in mind that if you plan to bring a longboard, its considerable length will make it difficult to store regardless. And that's assuming it even fits in your van…
3 – Fragile equipment: boards that need to be treated with care
A surfboard, especially one made of resin or epoxy, remains fragile. In a van in constant motion, the risks of impacts, friction, or deformation are numerous, even with a cover. Stacked, poorly secured, or crushed by other belongings, they quickly become damaged.
3- The different types of storage for transporting your surfboards in a van
Transporting surfboards in a van requires organization, and every nook and cranny becomes a strategic opportunity. Several storage solutions exist, adapted to different types of vehicles and surfboard setups. Here's a comprehensive overview of the most popular options.
Option 1:
The most common solution is to attach your boards to the van's ceiling using bungee cords, hooks, or homemade hanging racks. This frees up all floor space while keeping your boards accessible. However, this method significantly reduces headroom and can quickly become uncomfortable, especially in vans without a pop-up roof. It's suitable for one or two shortboards, but becomes impractical with a longboard or multiple 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 allows you to store the boards along the sides of your van, but requires careful planning. Storing the boards outside the van saves space inside. However, keep in mind that when you're away or sleeping, for example, they remain exposed… and it only takes a moment of inattention for them to disappear.
Option 3:
For those with a fixed, raised bed , it's possible to install a drawer or sliding compartment underneath, accessible from the rear of the van. This is a very effective solution for protecting surfboards while keeping them easily accessible. This system allows you to 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 van with a low ceiling.
Option 4:
Some travelers also utilize available vertical spaces between pieces of furniture , such as between the kitchen unit and a partition wall, or between the storage unit and the van's wall. It's possible to slide a board upright or slightly inclined, securing it with a strap or a foam wedge. This solution is simple, quick to set up, and requires no construction work, but it offers little stability and can obstruct drawer opening or access to the van.
Option 5:
The roof of the van remains a popular solution , especially with roof bars or a rigid cargo box (like a Thule or a custom-made box). This allows you to transport several boards, including a longboard, without cluttering the van's interior. However, it adds height to the vehicle, which can make accessing some parking lots more difficult or increase toll charges. Furthermore, the boards are exposed to the elements, heat, and potentially theft if they are not protected.
4 - One solution: Newave removable boards
Faced with limited space in a van, Newave offers an ingenious and practical solution: modular, take-apart surfboards specially designed for travelers. Made of two or three parts that easily assemble by hand, without tools, these boards offer performance equivalent to a traditional surfboard, while perfectly meeting the needs of adventurers. You can even swap the parts to create new shapes!
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Modular and demountable boards
Newave offers two formats to suit the needs of traveling surfers. The first, the 2-board pack , allows you to interchange parts from two different boards to create two new ones adapted to different conditions.
The second format, even more versatile, is the 7-piece quiver . This pack of eight interchangeable pieces allows you to create up to nine different boards , ranging from shortboards to longboards, including various models.
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A custom-made bag
This system represents a true revolution for vanlifers. Indeed, once disassembled, the components take up very little space and can easily be packed into a bag ( 124 × 60 × 47 cm for the wheeled bag containing 9 boards ). In addition to saving space, these boards offer unparalleled versatility: no need to carry several bulky boards, simply assemble the right components to adapt your quiver to the day's conditions.
5 - a board optimized for your van
Their ultra-compact storage format is a major advantage. Once disassembled, the pieces fit into a sturdy bag , available in two sizes: the M model (for the 2-board packs – 4 combinations) measures 124 × 60 × 25 cm , while the L model (for the 8-piece quiver – 9 combinations) measures 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 vans commonly have storage compartments 80 to 100 cm deep, 70 to 140 cm wide, and 35 to 60 cm high, which is more than enough to accommodate a medium-sized Newave bag, and often a large one as well. The bag can be stored flat in the compartment , vertically between two pieces of furniture , or even in a side storage area , depending on your van's configuration. The result: a better-organized van, protected gear, and more freedom to enjoy the waves.
Thanks to its wheeled bag, the Newave quiver slides directly into the van's storage compartment, 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 camper vans.
4 - Comparison: rigid boards vs. collapsible boards in a van
|
Criteria |
Classic Boards |
Newave demountable boards |
|
Clutter |
Very important |
Low (spare part) |
|
Total Weight (3 boards) |
18 to 24 kg |
Approximately 12 kg |
|
Dimensions |
Shortboard 6'4 = 193 cm Mini Malibu 7'6" = 231 cm Longboard 9'0 = 274 cm And approximately 12 cm thick without a protective cover |
124 × 60 × 25 cm model M (4 boards) 124 × 60 × 47 cm model L (9 boards) |
|
Transporting a longboard |
Difficult |
Easy because it's disassembled. |
|
Fragility during the journey |
Raised |
Low (protected parts) |
|
Board adaptability |
Low (one board = 1 use) |
Strong (multiple combinations) |
|
Storage in the van |
Complex |
Simple (chest, under a bed) |
|
Assembly time |
N / A |
Less than 2 minutes |
Conclusion
Transporting multiple surfboards in a van is often a headache. Between the bulk, the fragility of the equipment, and the lack of space, you quickly find yourself making compromises. With Newave's collapsible surfboards, those hassles are a thing of the past: 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 sacrificing the diversity of their gear quiver. No more choosing between comfort and performance: Newave lets you have both.
Find us
📍2 Titouan Lamazou Alley
85340 Les Sables-d'Olonne
Or contact us
📞07.82.86.43.84
✒️contact@newavesurf.fr