Water Sports

There’s no greater freedom than getting out on the water, whether you’re a surfer, kayaker or water ski fanatic. Nevertheless, water-sports equipment tends to be bulky and difficult to carry. Don’t let the stress of safely carrying your equipment sink your enthusiasm. Our range of specialist water-sports car racks are guaranteed to get you and your gear exactly where you need to be – all in one piece.

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Interested in taking a leap of faith, but have some burning questions about which roof rack would best fit your needs, or which bike rack would be best for you? Not to worry, our friendly team is knowledgeable, professional and will do their utmost to help set you on track for your next journey.

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Different types of water sports roof racks

Car racks can be used to carry a range of different water-sports equipment, including but not limited to:

  • Surfboards
  • Stand-up paddle boards (SUPs)
  • Kayaks
  • Canoes
  • And water skis
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Why useOUR PRODUCTS?

A PERSONAL SERVICE

Offering a personal, friendly service we can ensure that you are ready and raring to go on your next family adventure.

SAFETY & STYLE

Our mission is to help people transport anything and everything they care for easily, safely, and with style.

setting new standards

Out suppliers develop contemporary products for demanding users. We sell products that are built to last.

FREQUENTLY ASKEDquestions

  1. How to install kayak carrier?

    When mounting a kayak carrier, start by placing the carrier on the roof of the car and making sure it is level and parallel to the roof rack. Using the included mounting brackets, fasten the carrier firmly to the rack. Aligning the kayak with the straps or grooves on the carrier, place the kayak there, and attach it in place. Before you embark on the road, confirm the stability of the carrier. Consult the installation manual from the manufacturer for more thorough instructions, or get help from a specialist.

  2. How to use thule kayak carrier?

    Prior to using a Thule kayak carrier, confirm that it is mounted firmly on the car’s roof bars. The kayak should then be carefully positioned on the carrier so that it is balanced. The kayak should then be put in position using the carrier’s straps, making sure it is securely fixed before driving. It is crucial to carefully follow the manufacturer’s directions and to make sure the carrier and kayak are fastened before you get behind the wheel.

  3. What is a water sports car rack?

    Water sports car racks function similarly to other car racks in that they may be mounted on your car’s roof or boot to transport heavier sporting goods. The sole distinction is that, unlike other roof racks, they are made expressly to hold kayaks, SUPs, and other water-sports equipment rather than bicycles and skis. However, water-sport and winter-sport car racks sometimes overlap, so if you’re a die-hard adventurer, you should be able to locate a versatile roof rack that meets your requirements.

  4. Is it safe to drive with water sports equipment on a car rack?

    Yes – You should have no trouble transporting all of your water sports gear as long as the roof rack you choose satisfies the appropriate weight and size standards. Just be careful when loading your car to prevent any problems when you’re on the road.

  5. How do I secure my water sports equipment to my car rack?

    One of the safest methods to fasten your water sports gear to your car rack is with ratchet straps. In order to work with the roof rack solutions we provide, Thule manufactures its own locking and load ratchet straps. There is no better piece of mind when it comes to the safety of your equipment, thus we strongly advise taking full use of its product line.

  6. Can I put my kayak on a roof rack?

    The ideal course of action is to attach a suitable kayak carrier to your rack after installing a roof rack that is the perfect fit for your vehicle. This makes loading and unloading your kayak at the beginning and finish of your trip considerably more convenient.

    Kayaks fit particularly well on roof racks from the Thule Evo and Edge series, especially when paired with carriers like the Thule DockGlide.

  7. Are water sports car racks difficult to install?

    All of the roof racks we provide are constructed with simplicity and robustness in mind. You won’t need a fitting pack if your car already has open rails installed. To attach your feet, however, you will first require a fitting pack if there are no fitted rails. Your roof rack should therefore be ready for use right away when these feet are attached to the rails of the vehicle.

    Only overtightening screws should be avoided as this might harm your paintwork. But if you run into any problems while doing the installation, Browns’ professionals are always on hand to help.

  8. Will a water sports car rack damage my vehicle?

    A roof rack or boot rack put on the back of your car should blend in completely if installed properly. Modern roof racks are made with the car user in mind, so as long as you adhere to the weight and size restrictions, there shouldn’t be any issues.

  9. What should I do if something goes wrong?

    While driving, if you think something on your roof rack or your water sports gear has fallen free, stop right away. Even though it would be quite unlikely for one of our dependable products to malfunction, it is always wise to check again and avoid unexpected mishaps. Before starting your car again, always make sure your straps are secure and your cargo is still in the middle.

Finding the right car rack for your water-sports gear

Choosing the right roof rack for your water sports equipment is imperative if you want to ensure safe and secure transportation. If you are unsure about the right product selection for you, we would always advise getting in touch. Nevertheless, here are a few of the key factors you should consider when choosing the right roof rack for you:

Finding the right car rack for your water-sports gear

Choosing the right roof rack for your water sports equipment is imperative if you want to ensure safe and secure transportation. If you are unsure about the right product selection for you, we would always advise getting in touch. Nevertheless, here are a few of the key factors you should consider when choosing the right roof rack for you:

Capacity

How much water-sports equipment do you need your roof rack to be able to hold? Always check that your chosen product meets your length and weight requirements. And if you’re particularly enamoured with the water-sports lifestyle, you may wish to opt for a versatile roof rack capable of carrying all your different water-sports gear.

Strength-to-weight ratio

You want a roof rack or car rack that is going to last. Water-sports equipment can be heavy, so it’s important to pick a product that is strong. However, strong shouldn’t mean heavy. The more weight you add to your vehicle with the rack, the less weight you will feasibly be able to carry.

Keep a low profile

The closer your roof rack sits to your car, the more aerodynamic it will be. This will ultimately reflect in improved fuel economy, leaving you with that bit of extra cash to enjoy a hard-earned bite to eat at the end of your adventure.

The advantages of Thule

As mentioned above, a good strength-to-weight ratio is key when it comes to choosing a car rack for your water-sports gear. Whilst traditional square bars are made from steel and tend to have a black coating, aero bars are constructed from lightweight aluminium. Aluminium is just as strong as steel, but because it is lighter, is less likely to lower your miles per gallon.

Like aero bars, all the Thule roof-rack products we supply are made from aluminium. The advantage of Thule products over other brands of roof rack is that Thule wing bars also boast a full-length T-track system, which makes them even more aerodynamic. Their unique design also helps with noise reduction.

How to use a water sports rack

Mounting your water sports roof rack

Roof racks typically consist of a few different parts:

  • Your roof bars;
  • Foot packs, which attach to your bars;
  • And fitting kits, which attach your foot packs to your vehicle’s roof.

Most vehicle owners will need all three parts, unless they already have factory-fitted open rails on the roof of their car. It is relatively easy to fit a water sports roof rack to your car by yourself, but if in doubt, you can always get in touch to benefit from our expert guidance.

When fitting your roof rack, take care to ensure that you don’t overtighten any screws or clips, as this could damage your vehicle. Other than that, provided that you follow the fitting instructions, you shouldn’t experience any problems. Once your roof rack is fitted, you can keep it on your vehicle for as long as you wish, without having to dismount it.

 

Loading and unloading your water sports roof rack

When it comes to loading and unloading your water sports roof rack, it’s important to ensure that you move things around properly to avoid damage to your vehicle, sports equipment or even, your back.

Here are our top five tips on how to safely use your roof rack:

  1. Choose a roof rack that fits: Even the highest-quality roof rack in the world would fail you if it’s the wrong size for your car.
  2. Distribute weight evenly: When loading your roof rack, try to keep items as centred as possible, using your car doors as a guide. Try to keep your heavier items towards the bottom, as this will make them more stable, reducing the likelihood of them making your vehicle lean as you turn around corners.
  3. Use ratchet straps: Ratchet straps are much more effective at strapping items down than rope. They are more weather resistant and the convenient buckles mean you won’t have to grapple with complex knots. Thule also makes its own locking and load straps, which work particularly well with its roof rack products.
  4. Cover up: If the weather is particularly terrible, you might want to consider covering your equipment up with netting or tarpaulin to protect it from the wind and rain.
  5. Ask for help: When combined with the right carriers and accessories, our roof racks are incredibly easy to load and unload on your own. Nevertheless, if you have back problems or are struggling for any other reason, it’s always best to ask for help. Don’t let a moment of pride ruin a potentially momentous day on the waves!

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MORE OF OUR products

ROOF BOXES

A large box-like structure that can be securely attached to the roof of your car to provide some much-needed extra storage space.

bike racks

Bike racks are devices that attach to vehicles and provide a great solution for transporting bikes over longer distances where you can’t simply carry or even ride them.

TOW BARS

A towbar bike rack is a device that is used to transport one or more bicycles on the back of a vehicle.

FITTING KITS

Fitting kits enable the correct Thule foot pack and roof bars to be fitted.

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