Preparation

I'm probably not the best person to ask, but for me, It's all about flexibility. Being able to adapt to any situation thrown at you, taking the hurdles in your stride and not letting anything get you down.

The pre-trip prep consists of a little research, eating everything so you can handle some weird foods abroad. Practice in a range of different surf conditions, you will surf the worst waves ever on the WQS.

Make sure you tie up loose ends to travel comfortably, without homely burdens. Get Internet Banking so your able to keep track of funds, exchange bureau's and travellers cheques are a nuisance.

Go with the flow, enjoy the ride, take it all in your stride. Loving everything around you, the good and the bad, this is travel. The best preparation is no preparation!


WQS Checklist

For all those travellers out there, I have saved you some time here with a comprehensive checklist so you don't forget anything (even though it's a laugh if you do!)
Boardbag – Please put your lovely crafts in a boardbag, it won't be pretty at the other end!
Surfboards – depending on the airline, make sure you do not go over 20 kgs for domestic/return tickets, 32 Kgs for round world tickets.
Wetsuits – check where you are going and go from there, be prepared for the odd cold day at any destination.
Legropes – take one for each board (big board needs a long leggie, shortboard needs a little one).
Fins – For FCS and other fin systems, you don't want to forget these, otherwise you will be doing 360's left, right and centre!
Leggie String/Waxcomb/Wax – the necessities, but available just about anywhere in the world.
Credit Card/Money/Passport – I'll laugh if you forget one of these. Forget travellers cheques, they are a nuisance. Also when withdrawing through Credit Card, you receive the exchange rate at that moment, no getting ripped by exchange bureaus.
Suitable Clothing – No matter where you go, there is always the chance the weather can turn, so check the average temperatures and bring clothes that will cover a few degrees in either direction.
A Camera/Video Camera – Always great to bring back something for the family, might even capture something spectacular in the process.
Watch – Good to have, especially if you fall asleep in an airport and for time zone changes.
Sleeping Bag – Always a chance you will end up somewhere peculiar.
Book/Music/Comfort Items – There is a huge boredom factor at times, so bring that little something to liven up those long waits...
Sunscreen/Hat/Rash Guard – Protect yourself people! The sun can be your worst enemy if you don't respect it!
Medical Kit – I never bring one, but if you have the room, put one in the bag.
Travel Insurance – A must these days with all the world wide paranoia, its good to have if you hurt yourself or lose something.

email me if I forgot something and tell me how silly I am.


Fun Statistics

WQS World Trip 04 (May - November)
Number of flights: 35
Hours Flying: 139 hours 10mins (5 days, 19hours, 10mins)
Longest Flight: 18 hours - Santiago, via Auckland to Sydney
Shortest Flight: 35 mins - Lanzarote to Las Palmas, Canary Is.
Hours in Airports waiting: 146hrs 25mins (6days, 2hours, 25mins)
Largest excess Baggage Charge: $800Euros in Spain.
Favorite Airport: Hong Kong. Free internet and nice couches to sleep on.
Worst Airport: Colombo, Sri Lanka. To sleep on a tiled floor for a night is not cool.
Best Airline: Cathay Pacific & Qantas
Worst Airline: RyanAir, UK - Budget no frills, cheap as, wait till you get on the wrong side of them!
Longest Delay: 24 hours, Stanstead Airport, London UK. Missed my connection, had to pay for another flight (it was their fault, flight was late). Had to sleep at the airport overnight!
Favorite Place Visited: Capetown and the Canary Islands. I have a soft spot for Brazil too.
Worst Place: London, you didn't like me in 2004, hopefully we can get along better next time...
Harshest Experience: Getting food poisoning in the Maldives, had the runs for a week. Was confined to the toilet for a good few hours of that.
Best Experience: Tenerife, Canary Islands. Going up El Teide, a volcano that's over 3700 metres high. Being above the clouds for the first time in my life was astonishing!