Advanced Training 11th-12th July

The Advanced 4WD Training Weekend began on Friday with members setting up camp before heading into Dungog for dinner together. After an early night, the group was ready for a full weekend of training.

On Saturday, participants attended a theory session covering vehicle recovery principles, including load assessment, winch anchor selection, and mechanical advantage. The practical component included stall starts, hill descents, a creek crossing, and progressively more challenging winching exercises, finishing with a complex 2:1 recovery setup. The day concluded with a night drive back to camp.

Sunday focused on practical recovery skills, beginning with puncture repairs and tyre removal and refitting. The final exercise took place in "The Gully," where recovery boards were used as bridging devices before a vehicle became bogged. Under the guidance of the DAF team, participants planned and executed a safe 2:1 winch recovery, reinforcing the importance of planning, communication, and correct recovery techniques.

The weekend provided valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of advanced 4WD recovery methods. Special thanks were given to the DAF team—particularly Paul, Tappy, Peter, and Neal—for delivering an informative and well-organised training weekend.