No one will notice. No one will take your stuff. No one will prey on innocent open water swimmers.

In most parts of the world most of the time, this situation is true. Swimmers drive, carpool, bike, walk or take public transportation to their favorite or regular open water swimming venues. They shed their clothes, wear very little and take even less with them in the oceans, lakes and seas where they ply their trade.

But what about swimmers in big cities where all kinds of folks from all walks of life congregate on the lake sides, seashores and coastal beaches? What should they do with their car keys, wallet, and valuables (jewelry, mobile phones)? What happens when convenient parking is not available and they must park their car a few – or several – blocks away or at a parking meter?

Should they leave their wallet and valuables inside the car? Should they take their car keys with them or hide it somewhere? If they take it with them, do they just cover up their valuables with a towel on the beach? Is it more safe or less safe if their personal stuff sits on the beach with others’ stuff unchaperoned?

While theft is uncommon even in big cities, and unheard of in some areas, it cannot be ruled out. Fortunately, if someone takes your stuff, they probably will not be able to find your car. But the unfortunate victim also does not have their car keys now either.

But in the worse-case scenario, perhaps unscrupulous types watch for swimmers and beach-goers park and then walk down to the beach. Left unattended, they can take car keys and proceed to walk up the block with a key remote, clicking unlock until the right car is unveiled. Even if a victim’s car is not stolen, they must replace their car keys.

What are some solutions?

1. Ask someone trustworthy to watch your gear (e.g., a lifeguard, shop owner, nearby homeowner).
2.

Howard Burns of Laguna Beach suggests the following strategy: “You can avoid losing both your keys and remote fob by inexpensively making 2 extra spare keys. Take one key to the beach with you and hide the other one. Maybe its overkill but it isn’t expensive. Oh, and remember which key you have…it can be a sinking feeling when you forget and put the cheap key in the ignition and your car won’t start!Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source