Hi all, Just thought I would share a story with you all for the interests of watching out for fellow surfers.

I'm not from around Byron area but frequently travel up and down that stretch of the coast looking for waves. Today (16th Feb) I decided to check Tallows as it was the only option for waves with this strong northerly around. Had an average surf as there wasn't much on offer and every man and his dog had the same idea.

After the session, I returned to my vehicle and after a few minutes I noticed a guy on a beat up mountain bike blatantly getting on his hands and knees looking under parked cars. I thought this was a little strange so kept a bit of an eye on him. He looked under about 6 cars, pushed his bike to the other end of the car park and the continued to look under more. I was certain he was looking for any car keys stashed under tyres/shocks/etc... I think he noticed I was watching and when he came past me he asked to look under my car as he has ' lost his son's stuffed toy'. He said his son wouldn't sleep with out it.

I thought this story 'might' has some truth to it but completely ruled it out when very soon after he got on his bike and rode out of the car park by himself. No family members were ever seen. By this time I was ready to leave and expected to see him riding along the road back to Byron when I was driving out of the park myself. I didnt see him anywhere.

Keep your eyes peeled and NEVER hide your keys under your car ANYWHERE.

Be warned.

Your right there..I cant believe the number of guys I see "stash" their keys..on the tyre/under the guard/under the bumper..a key lock cost $50..a lot cheaper than an insurance claim !

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surfbroker said..

Your right there..I cant believe the number of guys I see "stash" their keys..on the tyre/under the guard/under the bumper..a key lock cost $50..a lot cheaper than an insurance claim !

A blank key that only opens the doors is even less..Stays with me the entire time

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jbshack said..

surfbroker said..

Your right there..I cant believe the number of guys I see "stash" their keys..on the tyre/under the guard/under the bumper..a key lock cost $50..a lot cheaper than an insurance claim !

A blank key that only opens the doors is even less..Stays with me the entire time

+1 JB cost me $7.00

The old spare key does not work for me as my ignition has an immobiliser on it - if I open it with the key I got cut the alarm goes off. Once I hit the original key button it stops - but its so embarrassing I use the surf lock instead.

I'm a key stasher . The way I look at it if some lowlife thinks there is something worth stealing in your car they will use a coathanger a screwdriver into the lock ( had that happen to me ) or break a window. Never seen anyone looking under cars though. I hate thieves.

I'm with you JB. Carry the key at all times......

SMH - I know. I was like WTF? I had a friend with me and they fell for the story. I told them it was utter BS.......

Heaps of thieves down that way sadly

According to most policies, if your car is broken into or stolen, there is no insurance cover if the key is left with the car, that is, under it, or in a surf lock. Just saying.

I still use a surf lock though, as I doubt anyone would take the time. I hear the majority of the thieves are from the hillside towns like Nimbin and see Byron as rich pickings.

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Ted the Kiwi said..

The old spare key does not work for me as my ignition has an immobiliser on it - if I open it with the key I got cut the alarm goes off. Once I hit the original key button it stops - but its so embarrassing I use the surf lock instead.

Yep..same happens to mine..as well as the blank key wont open the door lock..and the alarm goes bananas as well

up here in noosa the fockers watch where you hide your key then when you go for a surf they simply open up and go through you gear,take your cash and cards then put everything back in its place neatly folded,had a mate who got a call from the bank asking is he had just spent a couple of thousand at a bottle shop on credit card,wasnt him,he checked his wallet and the card was gooonnnne.that was at first point car park,plenty of punters around but no one noticed.

Tallows must have yeilded thieves an incredible amount of booty over the years because I remember it was a problem back in the early 80's.
The watch you stash your keys gig is widespread.
They do the same thing at the Woods (end of Hastings st - rivermouth).
Also at Alex Hdld.
Watch the unwitting stash the key then easy pickings because they can go straight to your car once you're out of sight and its a quick in and out.
Why make it easy for them?
On a lighter note...My self, 3 mates and a few nice girls piled into one of my mates Mazda 1300 for a surf around the back beaches from Broken head one Spring afternoon way back in those same early 80's.
Left the car and walked a few 100 yds down the beach to an alright bank and had a surf.
Later on we walked back up to the car only to discover our mate who owned the car had taken the key with him in the back pocket of his boardies.
It was gone.
So we set upon the Mazda trying to get it open.
A coupe of the guys walked back to look around the area where we'd paddled out.
Eventually we got the doors open but had no luck trying to get the car to start.
It was getting late and the sun was almost setting.
There was absolutely no one around to give us a ride back to town either.
Eventually the guys who gone to look for the key came back.
No luck.
Keep trying to hotwire the thing.
After another 30 mins of futile effort the guys who'd went to look for the keys started sniggering and couldn't contain themselves any longer.
The bastards had actually found the key washing around on the shore.
True story.