Outdoor solo swiming - what to do with your stuff?

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  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    edited August 2021
    Aren't the new iPhones "waterproof?"

    Even when the Pelican boxes fail it's not usually a catastrophic fail, it just starts to leak a little (anecdotally.) It's the silicone o-rings that fail, and the pressure at depth is a big factor. At the surface you might get a couple drops of water when it starts to fail, but it wouldn't blow out the seal, I wouldn't think. I think you can send them to Pelican for a refitted o-ring. A ziplock or other water-tight phone bag inside a Pelican would be sufficient on the surface. I admit, I don't take my phone on scuba dives, but I have carried my car key fob in the Pelican- in a ziplock. I don't do that on the regular, I mean even my Canon underwater camera o-ring seal failed and that was annoying.

    That's what insurance is for. :)

    They aren't guaranteed at depth, but up to one meter, so it seems they would work on the surface for a long time.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    frankwbrown wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    frankwbrown wrote: »
    I recently bought a swim buoy (aka swim float, dry bag) as I am planning to do some open water swimming (at some point).
    These are inflatable bags that you tether to yourself. Their purpose is twofold:
    1. They can help make you more visible to others on the open water, people perhaps on jet skis or in boats.
    2. They can hold a small amount of stuff (depending on bag). Certainly a phone and car keys would be no problem.
    3. They can be pretty water tight, but get a waterproof phone pouch to be on the safe side.

    I plan to leave clothes and towel on the shore and put phone/keys in the bag.


    @Djproulx: and @frankwbrown: what brand of buoys do you use? My partner is uncomfortable with my long swims and this should reassure him. My mother's friend uses a buoy but I hadn't gotten around to looking in to this yet, so thanks for bringing it up :)

    @NorthCascades: let me know what brand you go with as well.

    I bought an ESONE swim buoy, but I haven't used it yet.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073RDKRP5/

    I too have a waterproof mp3 player. I went with an H2O Audio Stream 2, it's a bit cheaper than the Sony Walkman.
    An mp3 player makes long swims a lot less boring.

    This is a good selling point. I do hold back, especially if the wind is going to be against me on my return:

    "Swimming alone in open water may cause you to hold back a little something so you had enough to get back to shore. With this swim buoy, you have the assurance that no matter where you are, you can always take a break if needed, just hug your buoy."

    This, not so much :lol:

    "BEST GIFT FOR YOURSELF - It is also very attractive and beautiful, which is making you more attractive to the opposite sex or the people you like. So ESONE Swim Buoy that you deserve."
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Djproulx wrote: »
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    The thing I love most about swimming is how freeing it feels. Especially as a guy who hikes up mountains, gravity is suddenly not a thing, you can go anywhere you want, or let the water hold you when you want. There are bald eagles nesting in the trees nearby, it can be nice between drills to just float for a moment watching them. And being able to see the city all around, roads I bike on, the mountains in the distance, it's very pleasant. I have this feeling that a tether would diminish that feeling of freedom, but it sounds like people who actually use one don't feel that way.

    I couldn't agree more that open water swimming is very appealing once you're comfortable in the water. I try to minimize my lap pool work in favor of OWS whenever I can. And I can tell you that among the group of swimmers I know, I don't remember any complaints about wearing the tether. You simply forget that you're wearing it.

    @kshama2001 - I had a Keifer swim buoy that I used for years until it no longer held air. This year I bought this one from Jansite. It's fairly large. When the rolltop is opened, you can fit lots of stuff in it, though I never use it for storage. I made my purchase based on reasonable price and speed of delivery, since I"m in training mode currently. Lots of different ones to pick from.

    Here's a top view and bottom view of my current buoy. Top view note: Simply inflate by mouth and turn cap to fill, then reverse to deflate. Roll top keeps things dry and an otterbox or other waterproof case can easily be shoved inside for two layers of protections. Bottom view note: just attach the belt to your waist and drag the buoy like a tail into the water. Even if you're wearing a wetsuit to elevate your lower body, you don't feel the tether or buoy much if at all. The buoy rides just behind your glutes when you're doing the freestyle stroke. Easy peasy.
    cydjidj9g0yd.jpg
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    This one focuses more on the storage option than the other one.

    https://smile.amazon.com/Jansite-Waterproof-Inflatable-Triathletes-Snorkelers/dp/B07DYLN5GG/
    • With Dry Bag function--- Give you the ability to store your belongings safely and keep them sealed and dry, never worry leaving your keys, cellphone, towels & wallet on the beach when you are in the water for a 2 mile swim
    • Including waterproof phone case--- Came with a quality waterproof phone case for additional protection, or for bringing your phone for taking photo when diving. It suits most Smartphones, like iPhone X/8/8 plus/7/7 plus/6s/6/6s plus, Samsung galaxy s8/s7 Google Pixel HTC10
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    So are there others around there/lifeguards.

    Personally would be more concerned about having a water accident vs my phone.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I'm personally not worried about being able to float, that's easy.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    I'm personally not worried about being able to float, that's easy.

    Adult Me agrees.

    Child - Adolescent Me sank like a stone :lol:

    My mom verges on under-weight - I will have to ask her how well she floats.
  • goldenxbeauty
    goldenxbeauty Posts: 154 Member
    Leave it in my bag on the beach.

    I live in a rural area where it's not busy and most people can be trusted not to swipe your stuff.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    I leave everything locked up and out of sight in the car. Bringing bag with a towel and the car key without a fob. If uncomfortable leaving key with my stuff on shore, i can bring it to swim with me, zipped or in Velcro pocket of my shorts. I see no reason to bring phone, money, wallet to the beach.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    And if you need to bring change of clothes and jacket, bring an older one, not too fancy. No one is probably going to mess with it.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I guess I learned what to do for next year, it snowed on Slate Peak yesterday. It's been getting into the 70s on warm days. I don't have a wet suit and I'm doing this for enjoyment.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Wait. What? Slate Peak isn't anywhere near your swim spot at sea level...


    And a wetsuit is a super good investment. Snorkeling is so fun in Puget Sound.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    icemom011 wrote: »
    I leave everything locked up and out of sight in the car. Bringing bag with a towel and the car key without a fob. If uncomfortable leaving key with my stuff on shore, i can bring it to swim with me, zipped or in Velcro pocket of my shorts. I see no reason to bring phone, money, wallet to the beach.

    Note sure how most car keys after the early/mid 2000's or so (with a battery) would like being in water for x amount of time.
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    I use a dry bag belt around my hips and tucked into my bottoms so it doesn't flap and annoy me. Works for me when traveling/backpacking alone
    https://www.amazon.com/blue-sky-BASICS-Waterproof-Pouch/dp/B00X9XVHPW/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=dry+bag+belt&qid=1630613460&sr=8-4

    I like the idea of the buoys if there could possibly be any motorized traffic though.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Wait. What? Slate Peak isn't anywhere near your swim spot at sea level...


    And a wetsuit is a super good investment. Snorkeling is so fun in Puget Sound.

    The first part maybe only makes sense to eccentric people like me 🙃; swimming in the lake is one of the best things about summer here, but it feels like fall now. Except yesterday and today! 🙂

    I have a friend who does triathlon and loves her wetsuit. She brings it and swims in mountain lakes, I'm a little jealous for some of those experiences. Says the north side of Chelan (around Stehekin) has wonderful swimming if you can deal with the cold.

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