When you apply to join our Club we try to have one of the more experienced members, usually a committee member, meet you to explain how the Club operates and to go through the following checklist. In this way when you come on your first trip you will not be completely in the dark. And for your first couple of trips the trip leader will assign a "buddy" to keep an eye on you and give advice when needed (and often when not!).
Membership is probationary until you have completed three trips one of which should be a training day. This requirement may be waived by the Committee if it considers that you already have the necessary knowledge and experience. We also insist that your vehicle meets certain basic requirements and has the minimum recovery equipment outlined in the checklist. The most onerous of the requirements, particularly with a modern vehicles, is the fitting of rated tow hooks front and rear. This is a key safety requirement which we cannot relax. The recovery of stuck vehicles can involve very high loads. Towing balls or tie-down eyes are just not designed to take such loads and can break suddenly endangering everyone nearby. We can advise where to go for advice in purchasing and fitting these. Until tow hooks have been fitted and inspected by a club Safety Officer you will be restricted to Grade 1 or possibly Grade 2 tracks where a recovery operation is unlikely, and then only with the consent of the Trip Leader.(Go here for our track grading system).