Soft board bag to Arugam Bay in September swell — pay airline roulette or rent a local board on arrival?

Plenty of visitors rent on arrival — soft tops for learners, a mix of shortboards for intermediates, quality varying by shop. If you are picky about fins and volume, bringing your own avoids the afternoon of trying boards, but budget airline fees and the risk of a soft bag getting stacked wrong. September on the east coast is prime for many surfers; shops expect demand. Check your airline sports bag rules in writing before you pay at the counter — fees change and I will not invent them. For a first A-Bay week, renting two days then deciding is a sane middle path.