A classic problem needs a creative solution. And everyone who drives and surfs has already asked the question. What to do with the car keys?
The world is not safe, even if you park your car in a busy place that you have known for years.
Being a local doesn't mean anything to burglars. In the worst-case scenario, you can even be robbed by a fellow surfer.
There are a few smart ways to keep your car from getting stolen. If you're a surfer, avoid drawing attention to the surfing equipment.
Be fast and discrete while putting the wetsuit on and waxing up your surfboard.
Showing an alarm sticker, hiding valuable objects, parking in safe areas, and installing an alarm system will also help prevent car thefts.
And keep your car in good shape so it doesn't look like it was abandoned.
But what about the ignition keys? What should you do with your car keys when you're about to paddle out and spend a couple of hours in a dreamy surf session?
Where should you stash them?
The following methods are valid for traditional car keys, transponder keys, switchblade keys, and other smart car keys.
Take a look at the best and most popular ways of keeping your car keys safe, from the most to the least secure methods.
1. Leave Your Car Keys With Someone
The safest option is to leave your car key with a friend, girlfriend, or boyfriend who might be nearby while you get your share of waves.
If they enjoy the sun at the beach, they'll do it for you.
If you're surfing at your local break, try your luck at the nearest seaside coffee shop, surf shop, or restaurant.
Ask them to keep your car keys in a secure place while you have fun. After all, a loyal customer deserves a special treat. It's a win-win situation.
2. Go Surfing With Your Car Keys
It's not the best solution, but it could work.
If you're still using the traditional combined door and ignition key, you may try putting it inside a rugged and sturdy waterproof case and then under your wetsuit.
Suppose your car locking system uses a smart key mechanism that lets you keep the wireless electronic remote inside the car and go surfing with the detachable "analog" key part.
In that case, all you need is a reliable waterproof pouch.
However, if you're already on modern, 100 percent electronic car keys, getting them to the waves is definitely not a good idea - water and electronics don't mix.
3. Get a Smart Lock Box for Keys
A high-tech smart lockbox lets you easily attach it to different locations on your car and keep your keys safe.
All you need to do is set a PIN code, memorize it, and go surfing.
With a surf key box, if an invalid pin code is entered a few times, the device will go into security lockout mode and stop operating for one, five, or ten minutes.
4. Hide Your Car Keys
If the previous options are not valid, take the risk.
Hiding your car keys when you're out in the water is the least safe option, but it could work in a remote location.
You can bury them in the sand or camouflage them under a plastic bag, towel, or rock.
Ideally, you should be able to spot your car keys from the surf to make sure no one steals them.
There's also the classic and dangerous method, which is to hide your ignition keys in the bushes.
Just remember that you should never hide your car keys under the bumper or wheel - thieves know the trick, or they might have spotted you doing it.