A Warning to all Surfers - Thieves about

[beachbreaksurfschool]

Car crime is at all beaches as surfers are easy targets they see us going in and know they have plenty of time time till we come out. There are a few good products out there to put are keys in my favourite is a lockbox which i can put my keys in and lock it my van

[surf patrol]

Hi beachbreaksurfschool, welcome to Surfing Waves!

The time in the water is really a problem. As you say, someone can just hang around and know that there will be plenty of time before you come back. No matter what the product, if they are serious enough, they'll get into your vehicle.

The only time I've had my car broken into, they kindly did it without doing any damage. Strangely, they only took my shoes and my mates shoes. They left surfgear and even money. We thought it may have been a locals only sort of warning

[george2]

I'm really thankful that I've been never been robbed in my whole life. I consider myself as a very lucky person! But I often hear about these nightmares, where the thieves have stolen everything, including money, keys and clothing. This is really horrible.
Thanks for all the useful tips and for sharing your experiences

[mainze]

I've done this loads of times....time to stop I think

[sandy]

On the back of the chat about wetsuit pockets.. I just got a wetty with one in the leg but my car key has an immobiliser in it, won't getting this soaked screw up the immobiliser??

[cravenbiker]

On the back of the chat about wetsuit pockets.. I just got a wetty with one in the leg but my car key has an immobiliser in it, won't getting this soaked screw up the immobiliser??

I got this see through pouch from my local surf shop, has a double seal and Velcro on it. I always pop my key in that and put it round my neck (it comes with a strap) and whack it between my wetsuit and rash vest. Used it a 7- 8 times now and it's water tight. Make sure you put it in the back of your suit though otherwish it's a bit uncomfortable when paddling.

[jaffa1949]

Sandy. most cars can have a normal key that can open the door. Lock your electronic key inside and take the normal key in whatever waterproof system you choose into the surf. come out wipe your key dry use the electric key start you car and go home. Easy. Don't leave your electric key visible though

[sandy]

Cheers Jaffa,

Helpfull advice once again!

[jaffa1949]

easy and a pleasure to do

[stevie]

key an bootlace hangin roun the neck, it never moves

[Ringofromsomerset]

I've recently invested in a keypadlock.it has a bit in middle to pop keys in and u shut it clip it on the tow bit of your motor and then spin the number combination.i've found it very is useful as a Chav or thief would have to have a angle grinder to open it!!!

[Atroxunus]

No key for My ride have to break into it every time i lock it to surf.

[SurferGirl83]

I've recently invested in a keypadlock.it has a bit in middle to pop keys in and u shut it clip it on the tow bit of your motor and then spin the number combination.i've found it very is useful as a Chav or thief would have to have a angle grinder to open it!!!

I have been considering getting one of these but was unsure how 'safe' they are. Looking at them it'd take a pretty determined thief to break in and get the key. I was wondering whether anyone had heard of one of these being broken into before? I'm also guessing this would invalidate any insurance if a thief did somehow get the key and made away with your car.

[CARBr6]

I have been considering getting one of these but was unsure how 'safe' they are. Looking at them it'd take a pretty determined thief to break in and get the key. I was wondering whether anyone had heard of one of these being broken into before? I'm also guessing this would invalidate any insurance if a thief did somehow get the key and made away with your car.

I've had one for a few years now and I find it to be invaluable!
Definitely worth the investment.

[orionkain]

I bought a surf lock, but it seems to be too small to fit my Honda Civic key
What do you think I should use?
(sigh)
I get so paranoid when I leave my belongings on the beach.. especially in Venice!

[jaffa1949]

If you get a simple metal key without the electronics that just opens the door, use that in the lock and hide your electronic key inside. some of the locks have rubber inserts they can be removed and other locks allow the metal part of the key to poke out.
try that and see, if you have a metal only key you can also wear it around your neck while you , just wipe well before inserting

[dtc]

another option is a waterproof key case (most diving stores and sailing stores etc sell these, although check that they arent waterproof to 2m or something like that, you want a bit more); put the key in the case then put the case in your key pocket of the wetsuit. Of course there is the risk of water getting in. Maybe key into zip lock bag and then it all into the key case. Shouldnt be too bulky, unless you have a huge key.

Some come with leash attachments (attach to the ankle strap), others are fairly compact and you could probably wear it around your neck (although I never like laying on my key on the board)

However...I think Jaffa's suggestion is much better. In fact, get two keys cut and take both of them with you - last thing you want is a major wipeout and your only key disappears into the depths...

I get so paranoid when I leave my belongings on the beach.. especially in Venice!

My first thought was 'there is surf in Venice'. Then I realised you werent talking about Italy.

[CARBr6]

On the topic of waterproof cases.
I cannot recommend one of these http://www.swimcell.com/ highly enough.

The missus bought one whilst we were in Cornwall in the summer so that we could get some photos of us in the surf, however as she was passing it to me I over balanced and dropped it into the ocean! She was devestated, I was seriously in the doghouse and that holiday was "ruined" I spent a panicked and miserable two hours trying to see it in the vast expanse to no avail.

But then, FOUR HOURS LATER, the phone washed up on the shore, intact, working and completely 100% dry. I have been skeptical of these things in the past but I can promise you that these one definitely do work as described. We were both astonished and amazed to have gotten the phone back in the same condition as I had lost it.

So, buy a swimcell, put your phone and you car key in it and put it under your wetsuit and you will have perfectly dry phone and key when you are done!

[Dwight]

Are there really that many thieves?

[BaNZ]

It all depends where you're surfing at. I'm lucky enough that I haven't had my car broken into. But it seems like weekly the police gets called out to the car park. Always smashed windows and surfer's gf leaving their ridiculoulsy expensive handbag in the car.