Looking for Swim Buddies near Myrtle Beach

Hi All, I'm going to be visiting Myrtle Beach this summer, and I'd like to find some open water swim buddies. I'd be willing to drive an hour or two. So far, I'm not having much luck. I've been told that the lifeguards at Myrtle beach won't let you go out past waist-deep or chest-deep water. The only suggestion I've found so far was to swim in places where there are no lifeguards. That's fine, but I wouldn't want to do it alone. Seems like a shame to train at the pool while I'm vacationing at the beach... Thanks, Katie