Comment

We welcome everyone to the 2015 SFWDA Annual Leadership Council Meeting & Webinar

logo-metal

 Join us for our end of year meeting where we wrap up 2015 and discuss 2016. Everyone is invited. We want everyone who can't make it in person to join us on your phone, tablet, laptop, smartphone, PC, or Mac. You are all welcome to join in. We'll meet at the Doubletree Hotel conference room for our 9am meeting to conduct our annual meeting to cover all current events, budget, plans for 2016, future planning, and 2016-2017 elections.  There are several important positions open which we hope will be fulfilled by a qualified volunteer for a term of 2 years. If you or anyone you know of might be interested please contact us. 

 This will be an interactive event which all attendees can ask questions both in person and through the online chat box inside of the webinar.  We will also take votes online from attendees for our BOD elections who will be verified as active eligible members.


The plan for the SFWDA 2015 Annual Meeting is as follows:

9:00      Welcome
9:05      SFWDA Financial Review(Doyle Punches)
             TrailFest, Dixie Run 29, Balance Sheet, Operating Statement
9:30       Communication Analytics(Walter Shafer)
             Web Analysis, Social Media
10:00     SFWDA 2015 Grant Overview
             Educational Videos/Update, Rock Solid Windrock Park Pavilion, 
             ORFW/Daniel Boone Scenic Byway/Old Fincastle Road
             SFWDA 2016 Opportunities
             Regional Tread Lightly Training, 2016 Educational Videos,
             Daniel Boone Scenic Byway Mapping and Signage
             (Rugged Ridge and Tread Lightly)
10:30     Break
10:45     UFWDA, Jerry Smith, Director of Environmental Affairs
             ORBA/UFWDA Annoucement, One Voice Advisory Committee,
             and SFWDA Support
             Blue Ribbon Coalition, Todd Ockert, President
             BRC Challenges and SFWDA Support
11:15     Land Use(Flint Holbrook)
             Updates on Uwharrie National Forest, proposed Badin Lake Trail
             Updates on Daniel Boone Scenic Byway and 2016 (Jeffrey Dozier)
             Updates on Beasley Knob and 2015 RTP Grant  (Kevin Sutz)
             Updates on TN Council on Greenways and Trails (Bob Yarbrough)
             Updates on Georgia Trails and Advisory Committee (Dave Logan)
             2016 Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC)
12:00     Break
12:15     2016 SFWDA Calendar  (BOD)
12:30     2016 SFWDA Commitments of Support  (BOD)
             Tread Lightly
             UFWDA
             ORBA
             Blue Ribbon Coalition
12:45     2016 Budget Recommendations
             Web Maintenance and Technical Support
             Social Media Management
             Communications, Meetings and Public Relations
1:15       2016 Elections(Secretary)
             President
             Treasurer
             Director of Conservation and Land Management
             Director of Membership
             Director of Public Relations (1 Yr)
1:30       Closing Comments and Adjourn
 

Online Webinar registration will be available soon for all attendees that cannot make the event in person. 

A block of rooms at the host hotel have been reserved for December 4, 2015 - December 6, 2015. The special room rate will be available until November 25th

Click here for your special group rate at the DoubleTree for the Southern 4 Wheel Drive Annual Meeting

Photos from the 2014 Annual Meeting

The Official Facebook Event page is now live:
https://www.facebook.com/events/953524908053850/ 

Comment

Comment

United Four Wheel Drive Associations & Off-Road Business Association to Collaborate as Land-Use Advocates

  The United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) have agreed to a formal arrangement that will allow the groups to coordinate policy as they strive to work together to protect access to lands, roads and trails for off-road enthusiasts.  The groups have often collaborated in the past at the national level on projects of common interest.  The new arrangement will enable the two national organizations to cooperate more closely to create a stronger approach to advocating for increased access to motorized recreation on public and private land.
 
"Combining energy, experience and talent with the grassroots and business is the key for leading and protecting motorized recreation," said Fred Wiley, ORBA's President and CEO.  "Without a place to recreate, there wouldn't be a large market for accessories. 
Both groups gain ground when we can bring our
combined resources to bear."
 
These organizations have international connections to grassroots groups and businesses, bringing decades of advocacy experience to the table. Working together, while focusing on the individual missions of each organization, insures that communication and connectivity will create a stronger message and voice.
 
Tom Mandera, President of UFWDA commented, "Together, we will apply our individual strengths towards our common purpose - advocating for recreational opportunities.  Joining forces to maximize our collective expertise, finding a common goal and organizing around that goal, is the only way to have success."
 
About ORBA and UFWDA
 
ORBA is a national non-profit trade association of motorized
off-road related businesses formed to promote and
preserve off-road recreation.
 
UFWDA is the only international organization that exclusively represents the 4x4 enthusiast.  Comprised entirely of fellow enthusiasts, UFWDA seeks to counter anti-access groups that seek to close recreation areas to off-road motorized sport. 
 


Additional details are available at
 www.ufwda.organd www.orba.biz

Comment

Comment

Dixie Run 29 is a Huge Success, Thank You to everyone for your support!

Dixie Run 29 is a Huge Success. 
Thank You to everyone for your support! 

DR29

 That's right, now that we have reviewed the results of the event we can say for sure that Dixie Run 29 was a hit. We broke almost all prior records for this long time event. With just under 800 total attendees and 487 rigs we have pushed this event to another level raising more money than ever before. Not only did we raise a considerable amount of money for our Association we have also added many new members including 15 new Premium Members. Thank you to each and every one of you who came out and enjoyed Golden Mountain Park together as part of the SFWDA family. 

What will the money raised do for our sport and community, well that is actually up to you all; our loyal members, clubs, and OHV parks. That's right, the SFWDA is a non-profit organization and as such we have a Grant Program for all active members to utilize. These funds are offered in grants up to as much as $5,000 per applicant for a variety of uses. Apply soon and get your your group involved. Grants are useful to educate enthusiasts, maintain and develop  OHV trails, construct OHV park improvements, and more. 

In case you missed it or you would like to check out photos from the event and look for your rig, take a peek at our Official Photographer for the event Image Off Road Photography. These great folks have provided hundreds of images for us all to browse and purchase. 

You can purchase directly from this link, including digital downloads. Enjoy!

Album 1
http://www.imageoffroadphotography.com/…/Dixie-Ru…/i-xHbHgXt

Album 2
http://www.imageoffroadphotography.com/Events/Dixie-Run-2015-Album-2/

Album 3
http://www.imageoffroadphotography.com/Events/Dixie-Run-2015-Album-3/i-nt4SHxZ

 Next up is our Meet & Ride on November 14th, at Choccolocco Mountain Park . Hope you can join us!

Don't forget about TrailFest 2016 at Adventure Off Road Park which we plan to make bigger and better. Then mark your calendars for Dixie Run 30 at GMP September 23-25th.

Comment

Comment

Coppenger Cove Cleanup

While it may have rained all day and weather conditions were less than desirable a few very dedicated and passionate SFWDA members made their way through the gorgeous Cove trails and helped do way more than expected. The group met up early at the Trials Training Center and after a quick meeting they hit the trail. After a full day working together this small group managed to bring out a mound of trash. Just check out all the bags they filled up. Plans are now in development to improve strategies and infrastructure to do all we can at keeping this amazing area open to the public. 

Comment

Comment

OHIO RIVER FOUR WHEELERS GRANT UPDATE

The OHIO RIVER FOUR WHEELERS off-road club, based in Cincinnati, OH performed trail repairs to a severe washout on Old Fincastle Road, part of the Daniel Boone Back Country Byway, on Saturday August 8th. 

The team assembled at 7:30 a.m. just south of Cincinnati, OH and caravan down to the Natural Bridge area of Red River Gorge. We were on location at the work-site by 10:00. After reviewing the damaged area with the team we broke up into smaller groups to begin preparation of materials and the area to be repaired.

Concrete and pressure treated lumber were prepared a week before to act as foundation piers for a retaining wall. The retaining wall allowed us to fill the washout with locally collected rocks to act as a water break which would diffuse the rush of water into this area, yet allow it to drain through. We attached horizontal lumber ties to the vertical lumber piers with galvanized bolts. These allowed us to tie the retaining wall into the surrounding hillside for support.

Approximately 8-10 tons of local field stone was collected and dropped into the washout behind our fabricated retaining wall. 

We built a water bar across the trail at approximately 60 degrees from parallel, and then a second water bar in parallel with the trail into a natural drainage channel that empties out behind our retaining wall. We felt these modifications would divert water from the damaged area and work naturally with the path water tends to take in this section.   

In a couple of years time the pressure treated lumber will gray down and take on a natural look with its surroundings. The ties off the piers have been anchored into the surrounding hillside with 4 foot long pieces of ½” re-bar. 

The loose field-stone acts as a break to rushing water, which will allow it to pass through the retaining wall without building so much pressure as to challenge the integrity of the retaining wall. We expect silt from water runoff to fill in some of the gaps in our field-stone and settle our water bars into place.

We feel this is a sustainable repair and should last for many years.

Three months later 

* Update - After three months trail repair is still in good shape and it looks like the water is running in the direction that it was directed toward. Water bars have settle in good into the ground.

Comment

Comment

Dixie Run 29 Photo Albums are available to download NOW! 3 Whole Albums worth

First off, I want to say how thankful we are for all the effort from Image Off Road Photography. Christy Mote and Thomas Boyd have demonstrated tremendous effort at our  most recent SFWDA events.  Our core mission is Conservation * Education * Recreation. Recreation is the payoff and the reason why we all work so hard to maintain the right to access trails and why we work so hard to maintain our OHV trails. Often when out wheeling it's hard to get good pictures and rarely can you even get a good selfie while on the trail. Photographs help us to keep those memories forever, which is something that often run astray as we age. Well, Image Off Road Photography (IORP) has done it once again. Go ahead right now and check out the 3 whole albums she uploaded for us to peruse. Then be sure and order a few photos, a collage, or maybe even a wall print from her directly online. Christy and her team do this all without compensation from us, so please show your appreciation for their talent, time and effort and buy some images. You won't regret it and then you also wont forget it. ) 

You can purchase directly from this link, including digital downloads. Enjoy!

Album 1
http://www.imageoffroadphotography.com/…/Dixie-Ru…/i-xHbHgXt

Album 2
http://www.imageoffroadphotography.com/Events/Dixie-Run-2015-Album-2/

Album 3
http://www.imageoffroadphotography.com/Events/Dixie-Run-2015-Album-3/i-nt4SHxZ

Comment

Comment

Let's all warmly welcome CRAWL magazine to the SFWDA family

 We're delighted to announce we now can offer all SFWDA members a 25% Discount on subscriptions & past issues of CRAWL magazine. 

"KEEP UP TO DATE AND IN THE KNOW WITH CRAWL MAGAZINE.  WE BRING YOU COVERAGE OF THE BEST EVENTS, PRODUCTS, AND WHEELING IN THE US AND AROUND THE WORLD.  READ ABOUT CRAWL RIG PROJECTS, GET TECH KNOW-HOW FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, LEARN HOW YOU CAN KEEP PUBLIC LANDS OPEN FOR OFFROAD SPORTS, AND GET THE EXPERIENCE OF THE HARDCORE OFFROAD LIFESTYLE THAT ONLY CRAWL CAN BRING YOU."

Check them out on our website which you can follow a link for the 25% discount code. Sign up today! 

Comment

1 Comment

It is time for the 2015 Southern Four Wheel Drive Association Fall MEET & RIDE!

Come join SFWDA at Choccolocco Mountain; everyone's invited to our 2015 SFWDA Fall MEET & RIDE! 

When:

November 14, 9 AM CST

Where:

Choccolocco Mountain ORV Park 1312 Louise Dr. SW Jacksonville, AL 36265 33.807620, -85.736513 (Directions Below)

What:

* " Toys for Tots" Charity Toy Drive
* SFWDA News & Updates
* Trail Riding
 

This Fall the SFWDA Meet and Ride will be hosted by the Warner Robins Jeep Club at Choccolocco Mountain ORV Park in Jacksonville, Alabama. We are also collecting new unwrapped toys for the local Warner Robbins chapter of the USMC Toys for Tots charity. We wil be collecting toys in the morning. Choccolocco MTN is a large and fantastic park that has terrain available for every type of 4x4 from bone stock to heavily modified. From the infamous “Boat Ramp” to the tamer and scenic “Chicken Trail” this fantastic park truly has something for everyone.

The WRJC will be leading groups for those unfamiliar with the park. Their plan is to have guides for all difficulty levels from beginner to advance. Maps will also be available for those adventurous types that want to explore everything that Chocco has to offer.

The schedule for the day will be as follows.
(All Times Local)

  • 8-9am Collection of Toys for Tots
  • 8:30am Sign in and Registration (There is a fee to use the park and it is detailed below)
  • 9:00am SFWDA Meeting
  •  10:00am(ish) Trail Rides
  • Noon (ish) Lunch (Trail Guides will bring everyone back to base for lunch)
  • 1:00pm (ish) More Trail Rides!

Park Rate:

  • Event is free for everyone except for the park fees

  • One Day Riding Pass: $20 per driver $5 per passenger

  • Weekend Riding/Camping Pass: $30 per driver $10 per passenger (Weekend pass includes primitive camping)

Some simple rules:

1. Absolutely no Drinking and Driving. Period.
2. ALWAYS remember that we are a Family Based club and there are usually a lot of kids around.
3. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license
4. Tree Savers must be used at all winch points
5. Seat Belts must be worn at all times by every occupant of the vehicle
6. Stay on designated trails

Directions:

1. Once you are in Jacksonville turn East at the Sonic on Whites Gap Road
2. Take first left on Church Avenue SE
3. Take a right on Gardner Drive SE
4. At the Y stay right onto Louise Drive SE
5. Take the 2nd Right onto Forest Drive and climb the short hill.
6. At the top of the hill take a Right onto Forney RD
7. Park is just ahead on left

Links:
http://www.choccoloccomountain.com/
http://www.sfwda.org/
http://wrjeepclub.com/
http://www.jeepsontrails.com/off-road-park/choccolocco-mountain-orv-park-and-campgroundalabama/

1 Comment