Topic: Cleghorn 9/29/12

[Zmey13]

If I do it's one of those new fangled invisible ones! Those pics of me should be used to show newbs asking about suspension lifts how an AAL kit will give them a lift but limit their articulation.

my bad

[Ghost65]

Here is Randy keeping his cool while Justin and Terry spot for him. 

Is that LavaPro4X in the red shirt/white visor?

Nice job spotting through this obstacle guys...good team work.

[HEVAK]

I'm still stressed out about that trail. Geez Louis!!!

[justin123560]

Yes john that is lava. Him and Terry wearing red shirts = trail spotter colors

[SoCalXTerry]

I'm still stressed out about that trail. Geez Louis!!!

Ok Ray breath!!!!

[Lava]

New club bylaw, spotters wear white caps, red shirts for visibility. Terry and I will have to trademark that! Lol

[justin123560]

New club bylaw, spotters wear white caps, red shirts for visibility. Terry and I will have to trademark that! Lol

Sounds good. I remember seeing bright colored shirts with "Trail Spotter" or "Trail Leader" printed on them for sale somewhere.

[Ghost65]

Sounds good. I remember seeing bright colored shirts with "Trail Spotter" or "Trail Leader" printed on them for sale somewhere.

I think this is a good idea.  The only constructive things regarding spotting I would add might be:

-Make sure there is only one spotter per obstacle, or as in the video, for specific sections of the trail.  This helps the driver to focus on one voice, eliminating confusion/stress/and hopefully mistakes.  Too many voices creates confusion, and the spotter up front will make the call as he sees it from the best vantage point.

-Resist the urge to say "straight," or "straighten it up."  When a driver is going through and obstacle, correcting his steering by stating "passenger" or "driver" is much more efficient.  You are the spotter, put his wheels where you want them with your voice.  Most of the time drivers don't have the time or orientation to know where "straight" is on their wheels.  Let the driver know before he enters the obstacle what set of hand signals you will be using so he is familiar with this.

-Use a calm voice, and resist the urge to yell or shout.  Running obstacles can be stressful, and a calm voice and demeanor helps tremendously.  There should be an unspoken trust developed between drivers/spotters.

-Make eye contact with the driver from time to time, so you know they are listening.  Introduce yourself at the trail head or before the obstacle, so you can use their name.  Helps to get someones attention when they hear their name.  (and a good way to make friends)

-Only spot from the front of the vehicle.  This is a safety thing pure and simple.  People should never walk around a moving vehicle as it goes through an obstacle.  Spectate and resist the urge to spot call from the sidelines.

-Spotters should wear good shoes, preferably lugged soled hiking boots.  Low tops for comfort and cool (both style and temperature) are good options.  Often you will be walking backwards and sometimes quickly over slick rock and sandy slippery surfaces.  I have fallen on my butt more than once (to the delight of the crowd) when slipping while spotting in Moab and Big Bear.

-Wear a specific colored shirt or hat to make yourself easily identifiable.

Cleghorn 9/29/12

Cleghorn 9/29/12

Cleghorn 9/29/12

Just a few ideas...feel free to elaborate and debate. 

[Lava]

That is a good Idea!

I think I'll get mine printed with "Tail Gunner" though

and It'll be in Pink 

[Lava]

I think this is a good idea.  The only constructive things regarding spotting I would add might be:

-Make sure there is only one spotter per obstacle, or as in the video, for specific sections of the trail.  This helps the driver to focus on one voice, eliminating confusion/stress/and hopefully mistakes.  Too many voices creates confusion, and the spotter up front will make the call as he sees it from the best vantage point.

-Resist the urge to say "straight," or "straighten it up."  When a driver is going through and obstacle, correcting his steering by stating "passenger" or "driver" is much more efficient.  You are the spotter, put his wheels where you want them with your voice.  Most of the time drivers don't have the time or orientation to know where "straight" is on their wheels.  Let the driver know before he enters the obstacle what set of hand signals you will be using so he is familiar with this.

-Use a calm voice, and resist the urge to yell or shout.  Running obstacles can be stressful, and a calm voice and demeanor helps tremendously.  There should be an unspoken trust developed between drivers/spotters.

-Make eye contact with the driver from time to time, so you know they are listening.  Introduce yourself at the trail head or before the obstacle, so you can use their name.  Helps to get someones attention when they hear their name.  (and a good way to make friends)

-Only spot from the front of the vehicle.  This is a safety thing pure and simple.  People should never walk around a moving vehicle as it goes through an obstacle.  Spectate and resist the urge to spot call from the sidelines.

-Spotters should wear good shoes, preferably lugged soled hiking boots.  Low tops for comfort and cool (both style and temperature) are good options.  Often you will be walking backwards and sometimes quickly over slick rock and sandy slippery surfaces.  I have fallen on my butt more than once (to the delight of the crowd) when slipping while spotting in Moab and Big Bear.

-Wear a specific colored shirt or hat to make yourself easily identifiable.

Cleghorn 9/29/12

Cleghorn 9/29/12

Cleghorn 9/29/12

Just a few ideas...feel free to elaborate and debate.  

Maybe Terry (Not to put you on the spot, but your system is effective) or some others would be willing to give a 5 min "Safety Brief / Educational prep talk" to those that would be interested in spotting or becoming spotters in the future, before we head off to some of the BB runs? It'll keep us all on the same page.

[s14slide]

I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to make a pre-run brief SOP for the club.  Who's the spotters, what the hand signals are, cb channels, who the trail leaders and tails, trail specifics, etc...

All in fun, but always safety first.  Pre-run breifing would also probably help with pre-run jitters for new people to the group and wheeling in general, giving them the chance to ask questions beforehand, and give us as a group a more polished and refined look and feel.

[Lava]

I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to make a pre-run brief SOP for the club.  Who's the spotters, what the hand signals are, cb channels, who the trail leaders and tails, trail specifics, etc...

All in fun, but always safety first.  Pre-run breifing would also probably help with pre-run jitters for new people to the group and wheeling in general, giving them the chance to ask questions beforehand, and give us as a group a more polished and refined look and feel.

I concur    But its so hard to curb excitement and just GO isn't it?!  Lets say, at Air Down would be a good time to chat it up before we roll out. That way the trail leader can check with the group and see what everyone has for tools (Mech/Recovery), rig capabilities, equipment, Comms, etc...

[Ghost65]

I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to make a pre-run brief SOP for the club.  Who's the spotters, what the hand signals are, cb channels, who the trail leaders and tails, trail specifics, etc...

All in fun, but always safety first.  Pre-run breifing would also probably help with pre-run jitters for new people to the group and wheeling in general, giving them the chance to ask questions beforehand, and give us as a group a more polished and refined look and feel.

We will absolutely do this for Big Bear, as we do at all of the larger runs...and I think it is a great idea to emphasize all these points in a pre-trail meeting.  

Especially helpful for the newer folks or folks new to SCCX.

I was planning on meeting with Terry, Nick, and Randy either Friday night or Saturday morning to go over any questions they might have pre-event for Big Bear.

I really like all of the positive and proactive new members we have!  Good stuff, and thanks!  Takes the pressure off some of us "old school" dudes.

That is a good Idea!

I think I'll get mine printed with "Tail Gunner" though

and It'll be in Pink 

Haha! 

[npgtech]

..."old school" dudes.

Haha! 

 

[HEVAK]

Thanks John!! I couldn't agree with you more. Sometimes when there are too many cooks in the kitchen, things can geta bit stressful.

I learned a lot out there in Cleghorn. More than I thought I would. I want to give a huge shout out to Terry for sitting shotgun with me and teaching me what my rig can really do. Also learned a lot about spotting from Randy and Terry. Thanks guys!! I'm really looking forward learning alot more about driving and spotting, from all you guys.