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Tech Net is tonight! Let's get to know our vehicles...

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Tech Net is tonight! Let's get to know our vehicles...

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TECH NET

Get to know your vehicle PART TWO!

Join us LIVE tonight at 8PM EST for Tech Net.

In tonights episodes of our SFWDA Tech Net we will be talking about the different components that make up your vehicle and why they are important for you to understand to safely enjoy off-roading. We will talk about inside controls for your vehicle as well as items as simple as your drivers seat...

Our Guest Speaker will also tell us about "A Soldier's Child Foundation" and how we can help them.

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SFWDA Event Schedule for Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2020

SFWDA joins The Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion once again! That’s right, our friends over at Great Smoky Mountain Club have invited SFWDA. Just as we have in the past years and as part of core non-profit mission we share experiences and educate off road best practices, and what better venue than at this awesome event once again in 2020.

2019_SFWDA_Volunteers

2019_SFWDA_Volunteers

Several highly experienced, SFWDA Board of Directors Members have volunteered to conduct training classes, while we have a team of SFWDA Member Volunteers to moderate panel discussions and to man the SFWDA booths at this event.

 

MOA
Michael Morrison of Morrison Outdoor Adventures will lead hand on Hi-Lift, Recovery Gear, and Winching Demonstrations.

Michael Morrison of Morrison Outdoor Adventures will lead hand on Hi-Lift, Recovery Gear, and Winching Demonstrations.

For the first time this year we are providing free HANDS-ON off-road education. That’s right we will have a Jeep JK in the parking lot where our the one and only Michael Morrison from Morrison‘s outdoor adventures will be showing off his skills as a professional off-road instructor. Watch and learn as he demonstrates best practices


FRIDAY

11 AM - Best Practices Off Road & TreadLightly! Introduction with Master Tread Trainers

1 PM - Off Road Navigation - From basic to advanced, we’ll cover it all with Jake White from Cartotracks

*2 PM - Recovery Gear - Learn about the different pieces of essential gear to build you own recovery kit.

SATURDAY

*10 AM - Hi-Lift Jack - Join us as we learn how to safely operate the Hi-Lift Jack and its many uses.

11 AM - Best Practices Off Road & TreadLightly! Introduction with Master Tread Trainers

1 PM - Best Practices Off Road & TreadLightly! Introduction with Master Tread Trainers

* 2 PM - Winching - Join us as we learn some advanced Winching practices hand on.

* Indicates Hand-On Outdoor Training Demo with Mike Morrison (in the parking lot)

All Classes are estimated at 1 hour.


SFWDA is sponsoring a team of certified "Master Tread Trainers" to lead a series of totally free classes, you won't want to miss! We'll explain what SFWDA does to protect our trails and discuss how Tread Lightly! is vital to that mission. We'll also have Cartotracks leading a Off Road Navigation class!

Stop by to sit down with us for a quick class and you can qualify to win a SFWDA prize pack and maybe even a Dixie Run family pass. Drawings daily in our classroom. #OffRoadEducation #Treadlightly! #Cartotracks #MorrisonOutdoorAdventures #SFWDA



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SFWDA returns to the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion in 2020, even bigger and better!

GSMJI_SFWDA_Classroom

The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association - SFWDA.org is excited to once again host the Annual "Off Road Education & Environmental Stewardship Workshop” at the GSM Jeep Invasion.

We will cover Tread Lightly principles as well as best practices on technical skills, along with trail safety topics. Watch our video series of short films covering topics We will also cover topics like Vehicle Rollover Recovery, Spotting, Safe Hi-Lift jack Operation,Trail Etiquette, and discuss best practices in each scenario. Learn the techniques to safely navigate through your next off road adventure!

Jake White from CartoTracks will be joining us in our classroom for a special 1hr limited availability totally FREE Off Road Navigation Course.

For the first time this year we are providing free HANDS-ON off-road education. That’s right we will have a Jeep JK in the parking lot where our the one and only Michael Morrison from Morrison‘s outdoor adventures will be showing off his skills as a professional off-road instructor. Watch and learn as he demonstrates best practices #TreadLightly! #Cartotracks #MorrisonOutdoorAdventures #GSMJI #SFWDA

To learn more visit www.SFWDA.org

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This week on Tech Net " Get to Know Your Rig"

Season 1 / Episode 7

This week’s episode of the SFWDA Tech Net Summer Series is sponsored by none other than SFWDA and BFGoodrich Tires. In this episode our very own Mike Morrison of Morrison’s Outdoor Adventures and Eddie Schrader a well know outdoor enthusiast and retired Audio-Visual Engineer for Clemson University.
Mike will be near Asheville NC doing a complete 360 walk-around pre-trip inspection which will help to protect your vehicle from time consuming breakdowns. Eddie will be at the Gulches Off Road Park in Waterloo, SC illustrating how the Hill Descent Control of an off-road vehicle works.
As always, we will enter those that participate by commenting during the live stream to win a weekly prize. This week we will be giving away a Free Pass for a family of four to the SFWDA Dixie Run event scheduled for the first weekend of October at WindRock Off Road Park. And, if you pay close attention during the presentations you will be given a secret phrase that when entered into the comments during the live stream will give you an opportunity to get your name into the drawing for a set of 5 BF Goodrich KO2 or KM3 tires up to 37 inches. The drawing for the BFG tires will be held this fall during Dixie Run.
That and lots more along with your questions LIVE on Facebook video and interactive through the comments section.
Can’t tune in LIVE? No problem. You can watch the archived video on our YouTube Channel Anytime.
This week will be our first attempt to bring you a segment from out on a trail. Tune in it may be interesting.
TUNE IN LIVE TONIGHT June 4th, 7 PM EDT

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Introducing SFWDA Tech Net - Join us tonight at 7 PM to begin our Summer 2020 Outdoor Experience

SFWDA Tech Net

Inaugural Edition - ” Summer 2020 Outdoor Experience “

Presented by


Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) is partnering with Morrison Outdoor Adventures (MOA) and BG Goodrich (BFG) to bring you our Summer Outdoor Experience series. Each Thursday evening at 7:00pm EDT this spring we will bring to you a live discussion via the SFWDA Facebook Page on a basic off-roading topic.

Covering diverse topics related to best practices off-road

These sessions are intended for both novice & intermediate off roading enthusiasts. We are sharing some of the essential basic skills that will help you better enjoy your next off-road adventure safely. Who knows, maybe some advanced off-roaders may even pick up a tidbit of useful information you can use?

Each week in May we will be giving away a great prize to one lucky participant in the Facebook Live session and everyone that participates in the Facebook live stream will be eligible to win a set of five BFG tires to be given away this fall.

On our first SFWDA Tech Net session we will share an overview of the SFWDA Tech Net concept, outline our giveaway program, and introduce Micheal Morrison and Al Sweeney, your primary hosts for the summer. Who knows we may even have a guest speaker Thursday evening.

Please share this with your club pages and invite your friends.

SFWDA Facebook Page

We will be LIVE streaming our series starting this Thursday, April 23 at 7 PM EDT.


Our SFWDA - Tech Net Hosts

Please tune in to the SFWDA Facebook Channel this Thursday, April 23 at 7:00pm EDT to learn more about our plans.

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A look back at 2017 and wishing all a Happy New Year for 2018

What's your Association been up to.......

Video from meeting archived on Facebook from our LIVE stream


SFWDA Membership Status

  • Membership overall is up over 10% on a year to year bases.
  • Active club members: 2018 / up 16%
  • Individual members 375 / Premium members 223
  • Clubs 36/ up 12.5%
  • Business members: 62 /up 19.2%

Social Media (Dec. 2017)

  • Facebook Group: 7,006 / up 13%
  • Facebook Page 1,000 Likes + since mid 2017 inception 
  • 500+ followers for Instagram
  • 300 followers on Twitter

Third party awards for BOD Members

  • UFWDA Four-Wheeler of the Year Award:  Flint Holbrook
  • ORBA/SEMA Recognition Award for Outstanding Commitment:  Walter Shafer and Pete Mier

Regional Land Use Updates

Brent Galloway: WindRock – state of park activities

  • Additional cabins to be built on WR land and within the next 2 months online reservation will be available.
  • Building new parking lot next to T2- will be open for special events.  
  • WRP be getting into the concert business.  Spring 2018 will be timeframe of first event.
  • Currently has a Shooting range- shoot your own or rent.
  • A new restaurant on site:  WR Grill   
  • WR Bike Park- leased area for a prof mountain cyclist.   WR is diversifying. 
  • WR ATV Club is involved with trail systems since inception.   Disbanding at end of year.

DBBB Mountain Springs Rd Update:

  • Another hearing schedule on December 6.  We are trying to show 15 years of public use of roads. 
  • Goal to move forward to receive from the court system a Summary Judgement by Feb 2018.

New dialogues about the Blackwater Watershed.

  • Aaron Roddy- Carburetor Hill update:  
  • Early this year Forrest Service has closed it to OHV traffic due to landslide. 
  • Next few years to start process to do a land swap with the Forest Service and County. 

Uwharrie National Forest update: updates by Flint Holbrook and Ray Stanley

  • New District Ranger Michael Spisak  
  • USFS approved Interpretive OHV Trail system developed by Tread Lightly, 4Wheel Parts and Path Less Traveled, Inc.
  • Construction of expansion of Baldwin Lake Trail starting mid-December and will be RTP funding.

Beasley Knob OHV

  • GBR GA RTP grant complete.  The ongoing maintenance continues.
  • Problem area at Nicholson Gap, the potential solution may be re-route.
  • GBR proposed adding camping to Satterfield Station area.
  • Jay Bird discussed new Rock Garden at Beasley Knob.

Tennessee Commissioner’s Council on Greenways and Trails

  • Update provided by Bob Yarbrough: 
  • Things are more positive than in years past.
  • Currently in the planning stage which includes the study and surveys of OHV usage

NFS Region 8 Southern Region Recreations Resource Advisory committee

  • Ray Stanley has seat on committee
  • First meeting was elections, setting up structure and by-laws.

South Carolina Recreation Trail Program

  • Updates provided by Flint Holbrook
  • Rebecca Smith is the point of contact.
  • Trick N Traction looking for RTP grant to provide help to land area.

GA Recreation Trail Program Ken Sutz GA RTP committee

  • Completed a 2year cycle for RTP grant funds.
  • Estimating roughly 2million dollars available for motorized RTP grant funds.
  • Pre-application phase in progress and Phase 2 scheduled to commence April 2018
  • GA NR Projects for 2017
  • Conassuga Ranger district OHV trail Maintenance $70K
  • Bush Head Shoals State ATV Park $1.1M ATV project
         Proposal had public resistance with NEPA issues; the project was not approved.
  • GA DNR Projects for 2018, preliminary $2M to develop OHV trails.

Overview on Land Use:

Adventure Off Road Park:

  • change of ownership in 2017  
  • Committed to hosting Trailfest May 3-6 2018
  • Troy discussed conversations with Shawn and his continued commitment to the AOP.

Big Creek Rocks LLC Uwharrie NC

  • Mapping by Cartotracks/ campsites built / entrance gate and fencing installed / road repaired and shelter pad rocked.

Busted Knuckle Off-Road Park, Stevenson AL

  • Monitor progress of BKOR / hosting SFWDA M&R March 3, 2018

Coalmount TN Southern Gulf Off Road Park:

  • Roger Theurer provided status of construction.
  • TN RTP grant – purchased 1340 acres with an additional RTP grant for Construction
  • Started the project in 2010; $528K construction grant coming in.
  • Will need volunteers to help complete this park.  
  • Will be requesting SFWDA grant to help maintain water issues and road access.
  • Target is to open in end of year 2018.

Golden Mountain Park – Sparta Tn

  • Property is for sale and was reclassified for tax purposes.
  • GMP loss significant monies in recent periods.
  • DR31 & DR32 on GMP calendar, but no firm commitment if property sells.
  • Review findings of Event Planning Committee in the 2018 SFWDA calendar building portion of meeting. SFWDA will continue to monitor progress of any potential investors.

Tread Lightly updates

Al Sweeney:  Master Trainer Regional training projected schedule

  • July in Troy NC
  • November in Greenville SC   
  • Support of UNF Interpretive trail and SFWDA Educational Initiatives
  • Membership discussion on cost, time and requirements for having a Master Training Class with individual clubs in the Southeastern area.

ORBA and UFWDA

  • ORBA association of motorized offroad related businesses formed to promote and preserve off road recreation.
  • One Voice: explanation of the purpose and what is stands for “one voice to our government leaders”

2018 Grant opportunities:

  • Regional Tread Lightly Training  
  • Educational Videos
  • Organizational Support
  • Charity Contributions
  • UNF Mapping Project

2018 Organization support

Charity Contributions

  • Grant request to continue annual commitment to $1K each to TreadLightly, UFWDA, ORBA, and BRC
  • Grant request to donate $2500 each charity Crawling for Reid and 4 wheeling for a Cure

UNF Interpretive Trail System Project

  • Scope: create printable map of 173 miles in UNFTS which includes OHV, hiking, mountain bike, horse back and Kayaking trails.  Key part of Treadlightly interpretive trail project.
  • Start Dec 2017 / projected complete date May 2018
  • Total cost $10,954 / Carolina Beach Jeep Go Topless contributing $5954/4 Wheels Parts $10,000
  • Approved $5K SFWDA grant to help support

We are optimistic for a very successful and prosperous year ahead in 2018.


Hope to see you on the trails soon. 

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Season 3 of our Education Video Series Continues...."Safe Vehicle Recovery After a Rollover"

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Season 3 of our Education Video Series Continues...."Safe Vehicle Recovery After a Rollover"

 We're very proud to release this all new video from our third season now of Educational Videos! We're hard at work on the additional 3 planned for this season. 

"Safe Vehicle Recovery After a Rollover" 

 Learn from the Pro's. In conjunction with Overland Experts, SFWDA is excited to present step by step suggestions on how to safely recover a vehicle after a simple rollover. There are a ton of tips throughout the video so sit back and enjoy......and hope you never need to use these valuable skills and knowledge. (All situations are different, so it is imperative that you evaluate your situation before taking any action.)

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Off Road Awareness Classes making an impact at SMJC Jeep Invasion

Huge THANKS!!!

To Jeep Invasion, CartoTracks, and all of our Tread Lightly Master Trainers....

 In case you missed it SFWDA sponsored 3 Off Road Education classes daily at the SMJC Jeep Invasion. We were successful in connecting with thousands and shared some valuable awareness with about 125 participants in our classes. We gave away some door prizes and a pair of Dixie Run 31 family event passes to a couple of very lucky folks. Thanks again for your support to everyone who made it happen. Be on the lookout for our next Off Road Education class coming to your area. #offroadeducation #TreadLightly #SFWDA

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Off Road Education comes to you.....Inaugural Off Road Education Workshop at Jeep Invasion

Inaugural
Off Road Education Workshop
at Jeep Invasion

We're bringing Off Road Education to you......

 Join us Friday & Saturday for a special 1 hour Off Road Education course designed just for the SMJC Jeep Invasion.

Classroom #1
(at the end of the main concourse)

Friday & Saturday

  • 10 AM - Best Practices & TreadLightly! 
  • 12 PM - Off Road Navigation  (Sneak Peek at our Season 3 Navigation Video Launch) 
  • 2 PM - Best Practices & TreadLightly!

 SFWDA is sponsoring a team of certified "Master Tread Trainers" to lead a series of totally free classes you won't want to miss!

  We'll explain what SFWDA does to protect our trails and discuss how Tread Lightly! is vital to that mission. We'll also have Cartotracks leading a Off Road Navigation class!

 Stop by to sit down with us for a quick class and you can qualify to win a SFWDA prize pack and maybe even a Dixie Run family pass. Drawings daily in our classroom.

 Want to learn more? During this hour we will cover Tread Lightly principles as well as trail safety topics. Watch short videos in a series of Off Road - Best Practices topics and then discuss techniques to safely navigate your way through your next off road adventure. Learn the right way from knowledgeable, experienced, and certified off road trainers.This Awareness Workshop will provide attendees with an introduction to Tread Lightly! principles as decision making guidelines while enjoying the great outdoors in a safe and responsible manner. The workshop will provide you with situational awareness, the know-how on minimizing your impact while recreating, and the outdoor ethic that will help sustain our trails for generations to come.

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NAXJA Southeast Chapter - Cherokee Crawl Event contributes $800 to SFWDA

  The NAXJA Southeast Chapter which hosts the Annual Cherokee Crawl event this year up in Harlan KY at Black Mountain OHV Park had another successful event this summer back on the first weekend of July. Be sure to join them next year in Harlan.

To learn more visit their forum today; http://naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=364

NAXJA Cherokee Crawl    
July 1-2, 2017   Black Mountain OHV Park; Harlan, KY 

 It was voted before the event that NAXJA would be making a donation to SFWDA. Well we are very proud to announce that we received a check in the amount of $800 which has been earmarked for our Education Video Series.

Dirk DeYoung
NAXJA Southeast Chapter Treasurer
NAXJA National Director

- Presenting their $800 Contribution to SFWDA President; Ray Stanley

The Educational video series is now into its third season and is at the core of our mission. Funds like this fuel our non profit association and make it possible to reach more folks and continue the fight. Thank you to the NAXJA Southeast Chapter for your contribution, it is already being put to good work. In fact the first video episode on season 3 is ready to be released any day now so stand by to watch the very newest addition to this great series.  

Thanks again Dirk and everyone at the NAXJA! 

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