Stage 1 DTU Day

Trainers: Dave, Troy, Neale, Steve.

Participants: Rex Bailey, Tony Bourke, Scott Horne, Greg Middleton, David Mitchell, Martin Dale, Steve Grant, Cat Grant

Sunday morning, it has rained all night and is still raining. No driving today, just theory I thought. How wrong I was!!

To Cooranbong hall for an 8 am start, paperwork done and introductions made, let’s get into it. Oh and by the way “no practical today”. Ok, disappointed but totally understandable considering the conditions and the duty of care for the trainers. Let’s get a headful of theory.

I have been in training sessions at work that go for 1 hr and seem to go on for ever, but this 4hr session was over in a flash and that included a 20 min. smoko and vehicle check. We all found the presentation very informative and it was delivered in a way that everyone could understand and relate to. I know I can speak for all those present in saying that we all learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the morning. No matter how many DVD’s or TV shows you watch, there is no substitute for experience, and these guys’ have been there and done that.

While we have been inside most of the morning the weather has cleared and we are greeted with bright sunshine. It is decided that we would go and have a look at the quarry and the trainers would see if it had dried out enough for the practical.

These trainers go above and beyond in their duties, even to the point of getting stuck and requiring a recovery whilst checking the course. All good folks, let’s get you out of your comfort zone.

Stall starts were first on the agenda, followed by a steep slippery decent, all done and on to the next section. Why not pick the steepest, rockiest part of the hill to climb. Cat and I looked at each other and thought, if the trainers say we can do it, then we must be able to do it, surely!!  (well that’s how I interpreted the look I got }. Turns out they were right, as usual, and all got through with some expert guidance.

Ok, now we will put you on the sort of angle that, if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, would see you in your passengers lap. All good again, confidence is growing.

Another challenging loop is mapped out for us and away we go, down, up, up, around, down, slide, up again. I am getting seasick but having a ball.

A pleasant drive through the bush, then through a large, deep puddle and on to the final optional challenge for the day. A very steep, rutted decline with rock steps, tree roots, holes and loose gravel.

4pm, with a head full of knowledge and smiles you couldn’t remove with an angle grinder,  it was time to call it a day.

A massive thanks to David, Steve, Neale and Troy for at all times making us feel confident and safe and guiding us through the day. We met some good people and had a fantastic day out.

STEVE GRANT

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