kiters to Brazil need to know...

You are travelling and long way, for the trip of a lifetime...packing right can make the difference between amazing or catastrophe.
As you are going on a kiteboarding vacation, certain things should be "no-brainers" to bring, like 2 or 3 kites and 1 or 2 boards in a "golf" bag along with your board shorts and passport. Other things you may not have thought about are...

Should bring:
  • some cash, debit card, and credit cards (all with a 4 digit pin)
  • extra bar, lines, fins, screws
  • repair kite, valves (its hot here dont leave in your car)
  • water shoes
  • sun screen
  • anti-histamines (epi-pen if needed)
  • imodium or peptobismal for stomach upset
  • painkillers/condoms/muscle relaxants
  • afterburn for too much sun and eye drops
  • iodine and cotton swabs, bandages
  • needle and thread
  • electrical converter (most euro plugs are bigger 20amps, and outlets here are 15amps use a smaller thinner 2 pin receptacle)
  • cell phone with a plan for overseas long distance (realistically skype, facetime works best for this)
  • soap, a towel
  • small knife, flash light, matches, candle
  • pen and paper to write down addresses, phone number or useful words in portuguese, girls name
  • a book or two
  • photocopy of passport, drivers licence, insurance*
  • Scan of the above saved on your mobile device**
Photo credit: Surfer Magazine-the original since 1960
What Not to Bring:
  • large laptops (notepads are best)
  • travellers cheques (useless here)
  • Any foreign currency other than US or Euro
  • expensive jewelry
  • blow dryers...its always windy here
  • drugs ( if you want to end up in jail go ahead)
  • your work
  • wet suits
  • sandals (they are everywhere here)
  • too much cash money on you, many atms that do direct transfer into Brazilian Real.