If you’re planning to explore exotic kiteboarding destinations like South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, or Barbados, you’ll need to set up car rental for transportation.
While the board, harness, kite, and wetsuit are rather compact, a vehicle with enough room to store all your gear out of sight is preferable.
Also, it may pay off to consider the roads and beaches you’ll be driving on – there’s nothing worse than getting stuck in the sand on some unknown coastline as daylight wanes.
Truck rentals are expensive – as is the gas it takes to fuel them. A decent size car with a good trunk may get the job done, but it’s best to go with a mid-size SUV or crossover with 4×4 capabilities and proven off-road capabilities.
Generally Suzukis and Subarus are dependable on and off the road and will have enough room to stash all your kiteboarding stuff. But how do you keep from getting ripped off in a foreign country by a perhaps less-than-reputable rental agency? Comparison shopping is the best defense against potential scams.
Like booking flight and hotel reservations, finding a cheap car rental is an exercise best practised online. Compare the quotes of national companies with local agencies – you may just find a great deal.
Remember though, read the fine print before reserving anything.
If the insurance policy seems too good to be true, it probably is. Expect to spend between $20 and $50 dollars per day on insurance depending on the type of vehicle you rent.
Your immediate expense will rise, but you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.
Remember that the best kiteboarding spots come with varying weather conditions. Don’t park your rental car under questionable branches or swaying trees. Low lying coastal areas are also susceptible to tidal swings and should be avoided as parking spots.
Check online for the best rates to save a few bucks, and hopefully avoid a giant headache, next time you travel abroad on a kiteboarding adventure.
