Advanced Junior Level 1
Advanced Junior Level 1 convoy was so eager to get this drive on that all Advanced Junior drivers assembled at the meeting point more than 30 minutes before the announced drive time.
This was the group’s first official drive in Sweihan. After a quick safety briefing which focused on the peculiarities of Sweihan desert the convoy warmed up on some small dunes near the meeting point and progressed swiftly to larger and steeper dunes.
This drive was meant to reinforce all the techniques that our Advanced Juniors had acquired along their Desert Fellas journey before new advanced driving techniques will be taught on successive drives. This group showed that they had taken all the advice and feedback that Chef Marc and Marko had given along the way very seriously.
The first segment of the drive comprised of a series of straight crests of varying heights which the convoy crossed effortlessly. The descends were much higher and softer than the convoy was used to, but this did not seem to faze our Advanced Juniors at all. A few low and long side slopes were thrown in for variety, and these too were lapped up like a tasty breakfast.
Speaking of breakfast, the first break turned into somewhat of o pastry buffet. With tummies full, the convoy progressed onto high climbs – seriously high climbs. It was evident that this group still needed more practice with these challenges – so that’s exactly what they got.
When this group was properly warmed up the pace was increased and we made haste to Nagara. During one of the tricky hill climbs on our way out of the desert one of our Fellas had a pop out. The support team made light work of the pop out and got the show on the road for a high paced exit 30 minutes after the scheduled exit time.
Radio comms on today’s dive was not ideal. This is an area of improvement for the entire convoy. Our support team provided some great practical advice on how to improve radio communication and I look forward seeing this implemented in the next drive.
Thank you Rathica (SL), Johann and Anders for your invaluable support on today’s trip.
4 comments on Advanced Junior Level 1
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Getting up early was well worth it to drive with the new AdvJr group. Preggy picked some great lines. They were challenging but the guys focused and completed them mostly effortlessly! The sand was super soft and we had to check tire pressures that went up 2psi since the morning.
All and all a great day, some track following and communication discipline to work on, but I see great potential in this group.
Well done guys.
Thanks Preggy for great lines, for Ratica for keeping us inline and Annas for keeping an eye on thi middle of the pack.
See you soon
I now understand why Sweihan is popular with the 4×4 community! The warm up on this drive was great fun with some technical dunes, straight cresting and side slopes but Preggy was simply playing with us – he suddenly introduced hill climbs, serious hill climbs in seriously soft sand! The step up from Junior to Advanced Junior is a rather large step and rather daunting. But saying that, I can hardly believe I completed all but one of the presented challenges after only 10 or 12 drives. Preggy – thanks for the great lines, adrenaline rush (abject fear?) and the honest feedback. Rathica – excellent SL & communication as always – and thanks to Johann and Anders for the support and advice.
The step from Junior to Advanced is indeed a large one, but nothing that you or your group can’t handle. I’m pretty confident that when you reflect on your first drive in Sweihan at the end of Advanced Junior training, you’ll want to go back and nail every challenge that looked slightly daunting yesterday.
It was great. Still thinking about it. Thanks to Pregy, Rathika, Johann and Anders. You looked after us and brought us into a new zone. Certainly moved out of my comfort zone. Looking forward to next Friday.
Martin – do make sure you send me the co-ords 😜
Ahab – stand ready to escort me just in case. 😜