Topic: Beachys Trip Leader Familairisatiion Day 1-8-10

[BigBaz]

Attendees : Beachy, Brisey, XLR8, Chris72GQ, Plumber, Almost Dun and Family, 2ShortGQ and son, GQSWB and BigBaz
A great day that started out with a challenge, as I discussed the location of Whiteman Park with the demented creature that lives inside my GPS I could hear plumber calling for guidance to Whiteman Park and our intrepid leaders both owned up to their technology failing them. But eventually we all got to Shelter 17 at Whiteman Park.
The day started out with Beachy and Brisey running us through the Trip Leader Manual they had put together for each of us. These were a great idea for a training tool and the guys explained not only how to use the various forms but also the reasons behind them which was great.
Once the theory was over GQSWB had to take off which was a shame as he missed a very entertaining afternoon. For the rest of us it was up to Gingers for a lunch stop and then XLR8 directed us to some of his favourite play areas at the back of Muchea. Yours truly who was driving his son's Challenger after breaking his own car last week promptly provided the first training opportunity by getting stuck in the first bit of mud we came across. This puddle was then used as a recovery exercise with each vehicle coming through for the trainees to practice their recovery marshall skill.  It was at this point that someone managed to get a photo of Beachy with a recovery strap hanging off the front of his car.
On we went to the next puddle with the trip leader and TEC position changing regularly to give everyone someone practice. At the next boghole Almost dun volunteered a recce, drove in made a great assessment and drove back out before he got stuck. Chris72GQ was next and from then on a brilliant training exercise ensued. With it taking 3 vehicles and 2 winches to get him out, with Beachy diving in after him to get stuck. Eventually it took Brisey and his winch anchored to Almost Dun to haul out Beachy while he hauled out Chris.
Whilst all this was going on 2shortGQ and myself had driven around the other side of the swamp to set up a rescue for Chris from that side and 2short managed to get stuck, unfortunately for him the tide came in before plumber managed to snatch him out.
From there it was off to a dry spot (with you know who getting stuck again on the way but fortunately getting himself out for a change) where with time getting on those with young kiddies and our president who had spent the day suffering from a mystery illness decided it was time to head home whilst the diehards carried on.
So Brisey led Beachy, Plumber and myself across to the pine plantation, we had a ball on the sandy powerline tracks and hills which culiminated in myself proving that a challenger isn’t a patrol but it gave it a damn good try. Eventually with darkness setting in it was time to head home.
Thanks to Beachy for putting up the trip and his sidekick Brisey for helping him out, a great way to help people understand and feel comfortable with the role of trip leader, well done guys.
Thanks to the kids and Almost Duns navigator for their patience when their Dad’s, partner and their mates got their ambitions and capabilities mixed up.

Oh and finally thanks to my young bloke for lending me his car for the weekend. Who when I called him yesterday  to say “Can I borrow your car son” to go 4WDriving 2 days in a row didn’t even flinch when I explained that the reason I needed his was that I had my broken mine last weekend. Cheers Son !!

Big Baz

[plumber]

Good report Baz, sorry no photos from me, I thought this was just going to be a "training day" so I did'nt think a photographic recording device would be of any use........Silly me..

Big thanks and a well done to the hat twins "Beachy and Brisey"   for organising what will most likely become a regular part of the trips calender.

Cheers
Plumber

[Chris72GQ]

here are a couple of pics i have,

first up, the SET UP, for the recovery practice. Get beachy to come through the mud and he "needed recovering" at this stage i think there were more cameras than when britteny spears famously got out of the car sporting no underwear




oops beachy GOT stuck but it is ok Beachy there is a mighty RB30 to help get ya out







then the real fun began. every1 was saying the earlier recoveries were to easy, so muggins here threw down the gauntlet, and headed in where we should have taken a leaf out of almost duns book and reversed out
 







because of where i was in that goop, i was unable to get any pics of the Gu attatched to the Nissan Wrangler attatched to the GU attatched to the GQ hehehehe
brilliant day had by all, and defiantely worth it, if you are wondering if you should do the training, don't think about it DO IT

[Bloggsy]

Looked like an awesome day. Chris, were you grinning for the rest of the day? Would of liked to of been able to attend, but had family commitments. When's the next one?

[Chris72GQ]

Looked like an awesome day. Chris, were you grinning for the rest of the day? Would of liked to of been able to attend, but had family commitments. When's the next one?

Not to sure just yet, but there will definately be a couple possibly,

[Almost Dun]

Yeah was a good day out thats for sure , very informative morning on the books then a nice drive with a recovery demo thrown in ( i did try to tell them i only just managed to reverse out with plenty of right foot  ) thanks Beachy .

Definately would recomend a "training day" to anyone who would like to learn a bit more about what goes into running a trip .

[brisey]

Well that was a top day (doesn't seem to be any other type  ) hopefully trip leadership is a bit demystified now for the attendees.

Yes there will definitly be more training days to come

Cheers

Bri

[XLR8]

Trip report will be cleaned up and locked within 24 hours. If you have any pics to be posted, please get them up ASAP

All general comments and chat will be moved to "We All Wanna Know"

Cheers,
Mike

[Beachbums]

A big thankyou to Chris72GQ, Plumber, Almost Dun, his wife and daughter Caitlin,
2ShortGQ and his son EvenshorterGQ, GQSWB and BigBaz for participating in our first
"Trip Leader Familiarisation Day" your enthusiasm reinforced to Brisey and I that
The Club is on the right track with this type of information day. As you all know I
had considered cancelling it due to lack of numbers.
 As the date drew near we had a couple more volunteers, 2shortGQ and GQSWB, come forward.
AlmostDun (our newest member) also offered his services as a convoy member but in the end
sat in on the course. Another thankyou to XLR8 for offering his services to lead the
practical part of the trip as I'm not at all familiar with the area. (does not being
able to find Whiteman Park give that away?)

The morning theory session went well and the crew kept us on out toes as they
sought answers for various questions and points that they had wondered about before.
Hopefully all were answered but if any of you have further queries contact me and we'll
get you an answer.

With this being our first attempt at this sort of thing I think it went extrememly well.
Brisey and I chatted about it on out long drive back to Rocky and agreed that it was one
of the most interesting days out we'd organised for the club and the "Simulated" recovery
session was a pearler!

With 2 recoveries going on at the same time and one being a bit technical it was a
great bit of practice and familiarisation. One was probably one of the hardest either
of us had been involved in with a vehicle being needed to anchor the winch car (Brisey)
which was using a 2 part purchase via a block to get enough pull. The block was in turn
attached to 100 metres of Plasma rope which was hooked to the first bogged vehicle (Beachy).
Once we had proved that we could recover that vehicle we were able to use the whole setup
as an anchor to winch back the second bogged vehicle (Chris72GQ) By readjusting the winch
wires we were able to slowly recover the two bogged vehicles. We were also able to swap
around the Recovery Marshall duties amongst the trainees and Bri and I were impressed
with how much of the Theory had sunk in. The whole operation went exceedingly smoothly
with the guys giving very clear instructions and conducting all three recoveries safely
and efficiently. As far as we're concerned, you all PASS!  

Cheers, Wayne



Finally we all found the meeting point  



and had a bit of a natter.....





Brisey's turn to impart some knowledge



Onto the Practical side of things, Airing down



Hmmm........ it doesn't look toooo bad........



Looks cam be deceptive   Here Brisey is hooked up to me by 100 metres of Plasma rope. He has it attached to a block that he has rigged with his winch wire run out in a double fall and back to his car.



What are they looking at?



It isn't the muddy Patrols  




A bit of sand recovery






Airing up again at teh end of the day.