An unimaginable end to a surf trip. This might just be the worst airport negligence we’ve ever seen.
Wales’ Willem Beck was a return flight from Biarritz to Stansted, courtesy everyone’s favourite budget airline RyanAir, when his quiver was decimated by careless drivers.
Two out of three of Willem’s boards were brand new whips, it’s understood the stair truck ran over them, then reversed back over the bag for good measure. So while it may not technically be RyanAir’s fault, the airline have a duty of care for your possessions in transit.
As per Willem: “It got stuck underneath the wheel and was dragged across the tarmac for a while until they realised what they had done. The boards were completely flattened. I also had wetsuits, clothes, fins, dry bags, board socks, you name it. Every single item was either ripped, flattened or covered in tarmac. I’ve submitted a damage report, let’s see what we get back.”
It’s every surfer’s biggest fear that equipment gets damaged in transit. When new off-the-rack boards are setting you back between £500-750 for a decent shortboard, it’s a nerve wracking experience.
Hawaii Airlines, home to a large swathe of the travelling pro contingent, recently dropped a surfboard ban they had on domestic and international flights after rebuke from the likes of big wave surfer Billy Kemper.
We’ll keep you posted about Willem’s movements through the RyanAir machine as it happens.
