To join a club or not to join

Laura B,

Like you, we've thought about joining but have'nt done anything about it yet. Can't see where we could fit it in and participate fully unfortunately :((((

Good idea if you've got the time though.

Regards

Hi Laura,

we don't belong to a 4wdclub,at least at the moment, [we belong to another car club not 4wd related] we manage to go out with friends for a lot of weekends throughout the year who have loads of experience and we all have the required gear too. I won't rule out being part of a club but at the moment we manage to enjoy ourselves without one.

cheers

Lyn

My view is that it is well worth being in a Club. I am with the Gold Coast Club and we have members ranging from hard core competition (some very successful) through to those interested in scenic touring; and lots (most) in between.

Most week-ends there are organised club trips that are graded easy through to hard.

We do at least 2 trips a month with the club and only do the easy and medium trips. Several week-end trips as well. For example we expect about 30 vehicles to go on the Club Easter camping trip.

Benefits include: Great place to learn about effective and safe 4WDing (our club runs a full day 'Driver Awareness Course' for new members. Meet lots of people with similar interests, make new friends. Learn about local places to go that you might otherwise not learn. Get access to some tracks that you otherwise might not. And lots more.

Clearly some clubs will be better than others, but I suspect most clubs are pretty good.

My vote is to join, then get involved in the running of the club. Give it a try at least. Doesn't cost much and if you don't like it, don't renew.

I am part of a club, mainly for the insurance and to help preserve access to areas that might be lost to us in the future if we do nothing.
My club isn't into hard core tracks but rather touring and camping (pcoa.org.au). Not a bad bunch spread over the East coast of Aus.

Hi Laura
For the few $s that it costs to be a member I dare say you could have saved $'000s in damage just by learing how to tackle terrain correctly. Give it a go and if you don't like it leave or find one you do like. As already stated do your homework first and I'm sure there's one out there that suits your intended driving style. Just rock up to a meeting - you'll soon work out which one/e suit you.
Incidentally why ask for those not in clubs - wouldn't those in be in a better position to comment?
Cheers from the Moose.

Hi Laura....

Another vote for joining a club!!!!

We're with the Gold Coast Club as well... (Like Norm C above!) way back when we bought our truck, I wasn't keen to join at all.... but then I went to a meeting and the bug bit!!!!!

Hard!!!

I recommend joining a club, there are many many benefits, and like Norm said, if you can and want to, try to get involved.... even just leading a few trips, our motto is you get out what you put in!!

As for finding a club, try this web site and on the left menu there is a button for club locations....... there should be a club in your area!

Happy 4wd'ing!!!

Cheers

Brian

Hi Laura,
We have just moved from Yass to Goulburn. I sent for an application form today from the nissan patrol club for NSW/ACT. Apparently they are pretty good and, as a bonus to us living in Goulburn they have I think from memory, 94 hectares around here somewhere for members to use.
Am just reading today's entries and am going to join hubby and myself up as EO members. Thanks.
Barb.
PS Where are you living now?

Laura,
As you may have gathered by now it is an individual thing.
We (over 50, kids off our hands) were invited into an unregistered group. Wasnt long b4 I new more than most.

I now consider that I have a reasonable knowledge and know when to say no.

However; what we learnt from this group, they were a tight nit mob, no rules, and there was a lot of internal back stabbing and hidden conflict.

Dont tell me this does not happen with other groups either.

NOW, we do our thing with a small group of friends, no pressure, we all enjoy each others company (important) and have a fantastic time.

We also take some CALCULATED risks, but enjoy it.

"Pickle"

I'm a member of two clubs.
One based in Sydney run along normal club lines. The other a national club with communication primarily on line. Trips in various states are organised on line.
Did a few Tag Alongs before joining a club and getting involved in the 4WD movement.
I have learn't heaps made many good friends.
Comments on clubs have been fairly well covered above.