The Four Wheel Drive Club of Southern Africa is a family orientated recreational 4x4 club that stands for responsible off-road driving. We are involved in family four wheeling, driver education, civil emergency search & rescue and environmental conservation.
The Western Cape branch of the Club was established in 1977 and has grown steadily over the years. It is the largest four wheel drive club in Southern Africa and is not restricted to any single vehicle type.
The Club offers prospective first time 4x4-vehicle buyers guidance on which 4x4 will be most suitable for them by drawing on the experience of veteran members.
Background
The Four Wheel Drive Club of Southern Africa was established in 1972 and was formed by intrepid adventurers set on enjoying any activity involving four wheel drive vehicles. There are a total of nine branches situated in Southern Africa with the other eight branches being: Garden Route, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Piet Retief, Port Elizabeth, Swaziland, Velddrif and Zambia. Each branch produces its own monthly newsletter filled with information on activities in the area. The Club encourages members to tell of their tales, trials and tribulations in the newsletter. Over the years, many lasting and true friendships have been formed around club campfires.
Outings
Each month consists of a noggin on the first Friday of the month, one or two day outings, and a weekend camping outing. Extended trips are also organised on a regular basis. An experienced outing organizer is always in control to ensure that obstacles are negotiated safely and with care to the environment. This is were members develop their driving skills on various terrains and, most importantly, make new friends with similar interests. Extended outings or trips to further afield places are also organized which can be anything from a weekend to a month.
Driver Education
The Club offers the ideal opportunity for anyone with a 4x4 vehicle to learn the basic skills needed for negotiating most of the terrains encountered in our country. Advanced driver training is also offered to individuals and institutions that regularly use 4x4 vehicles.
Conservation and Environmental Awareness
Responsible use of 4x4 vehicles forms the basis of all Club activities. From around the late 80’s the Club has assisted the Department of Environmental Affairs and Cape Nature Conservation with coastal access and management planning. Numerous projects have been supported over the years, where 4x4 vehicles were needed to access difficult terrain for the gathering of vital statistical information.
The Club have been involved in land rehabilitation, the rescue of seabirds as a result of oil pollution, fauna and flora projects, beach cleanups, etc . Other branches of the Club are active in assisting the National Game Parks conduct fence patrols around the borders of our National Parks.
Off-Road Rescue Unit (ORRU)
The Off-Road Rescue Unit, a division of the Club, is primarily a logistic support organization. Members of the Unit are trained to provide off-road transport and communications, for any emergency or disaster situation. We provide a professional and efficient service to facilitate the smooth and efficient running of an operation for the ultimate benefit of the patient.
Special Projects
The Club undertakes many projects through the year where, not only our skills, but also our love for the outdoors, are required. The skills the Club offer are competent drivers with four wheel drive vehicles that can operate in off-road conditions and a radio communications network to assist organizers of large community projects. The projects include the Cadiz Vista Nova Freedom Swim.