Hawaii's champion waterman Kai Lenny shares how he keeps constant global travel manageable — useful for anyone flying far with bulky gear.

• Travel is easier than ever, but crowded airports make getting through security the hard part.
• Booking flights on a travel rewards card pays off through points, upgrades, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry.
• Lost board bags have forced him to compete on borrowed equipment, so he now carries a backup on the plane.
• His fix is an old-school inflatable surf mat — it folds into a backpack, doubles as an airport mattress, and still rides any wave in the world.

Outlook: El Niño is expected to bring big waves to Hawaii this season.