Aussie Visitor to Suzican

[betchaboy]

Hi Guys,

I introduced myself on these forums a while back, but haven't been on much lately. I am an active Zookster back in Australia, and am living in Canada for a year on a teaching exchange. I was really hoping to check out some Zook action while I'm here - mainly to take photos, maybe grab a bit of video footage and hopefully even get a pasengers seat for a run on one of the trails. I've been a member of the Suzuki Club of NSW back in Australia for over 20 years, and I'd love to go back with a bunch of stories and pictures to show the Aussies what you guys get up to in Canada!

I'm planning to make it to Calabogie this year, since school will be done! Yay! I have to be back in Toronto on Monday afternoon to pick some friends up from the airport. I've been invited to stay at a friend's cottage at Lake Kashwakamak, so I was thinking I could visit the Suzican site during Saturday and Sunday and go back to the cottage at night. I'd normally camp out but I don't have camping gear with me, so that's probably a bit difficult. Still, it would be nice to sit around the campfire or whatever you guys get up to of an evening...

So, having never been to a Suzican beofre, my question is what sorts of thinsg do you guys do over the weekend? Is it mainly trail driving, or is it more competitive-style events? What times in the morning do things get started, and what times in the afternoon do they wind down? Is it ok for me to just come along as a spectator for the weekend? Can I still get a T-Shirt? :-)

Chris

[Mudball]

You're absolutely more than welcome. :beer:

Generally, the event will entail a night run on Friday June 30th for those who arrive early enough for it. After the run, campfires and wheelin' stories are the norm.

Saturday and Sunday the drivers meetings occur between 8-9am. Trails runs are then made for the greater part of the day, with returns to the campground usually happening around 3-6pm. Sometimes after the trail runs, we have events such as the RTI ramp twist-off. Of course, more campfires and beer will follow this. ;)

This year, there may be a convoy into the town of Calabogie (about 15 minutes away) for fireworks to celebrate Canada Day.

Hope that helps.. this is just a general idea of what to expect from what i've seen in previous years. See ya there! :beer:

[betchaboy]

Thanks Mudball! I plan to be there. Should be heaps of fun... I'll be the one taking tons of photos.

Is there a entry cost for non-drivers? Do I need to send an application form or something? Come to think of it, how will I even know where I'm supposed to be going? :-)

Hmm, think I need more info.

Chris

[szabotage]

I think this year is another capture the flag. comprised of three trucks (a stock, mod and supermod) per team the goal is to get reach flags over an obstacle. some hard and some easy. there is a point system based on how modified your truck is and an overall average is made per team. something along those lines. it is sort of a competition but only for fun and a trophy to the winning teams. there are product raffles from all the contributing sponsors/vendors.

other than that, the trail runs are my favourite. suzican is usually a hardcore event for the majority of entries, but caters to the stockers as well. either way it's a fun party on and off the trail. I'm sure you'll fit in just fine! :beer:

PS, if you need a tent I got a spare for ya, I picked up a new one this year, but for those who know my old tent expect to be ridiculed :thefinger

http://ovo.ca/photos/4th_Annual_SuziCan/Suzican_019.sized.jpg

[longy442]

Mudball you mentioned sat and sunday, isn't it Friday trail run, Saturday Capture the flag and Sunday trails or tazz trail stuff?? And I also thought the fire works may be just over at the lake with the regular campers??

BTw boy check out www.suzican.ca for more info.

[Mud Lite]

Chris: You can be our free guest to SuziCan. All I ask in return is a copy of the pictures!!!! You can take turns riding around with different trucks to get a better cross section of pictures. It is one thing that I have troubles with every year. Look forward to meeting you.

[betchaboy]

Sounds like a fair deal to me! I will burn all my photos and video to DVD for you, no problems.

Turns out, I do have access to a tent after all, so I'm thinking I might even camp over on the Saturday night after all.

See you guys there...

Chris

[Mudball]

Sounds like a fair deal to me! I will burn all my photos and video to DVD for you, no problems.

Turns out, I do have access to a tent after all, so I'm thinking I might even camp over on the Saturday night after all.

See you guys there...

Chris

We can actually gaurantee a great time if you camp out! Where else can you get a deal like that?! :D

[betchaboy]

Cool.. I've registered and will be there, probably arriving on Saturday morning. I'll be looking to grab a ride with someone on a couple of the trail rides, and will be taking a bunch of photos and footage. I'm happy to do a bit of spotting too if anyone needs it. But mainly I'm keen to just hang out and meet some crazy zooksters on this side of the world. Good times!

Our club back in Australia holds an event every 2 years called Zukana... similar concept to what Suzican sounds like, though I'm keen to see the diffferences.

Can't wait!

Chris

[Grumpy]

So Chris.....yer thoughts???? How did you like Suzican? It was nice to meet you and chat, (my wife and I have the white Samoyed), hope you had a fun time. I only wish when I went to Oz in 2002, I had tried to hook up with some Off-roading club. I'll know for when I return to look you up. Glad you made it out.....maybe we'll see you at another event this year...

Steve.

P.S. OVO is planning a fall trip to Paragon Adventure Park in Pa....look it up on the web.......should be a blast!

[betchaboy]

Thanks guys and girls, for a great day out last saturday, I had a ball!

thanks especially to John for helping arrange things for me, and to Logan and Todd for sharing zooks for the day, and to everyone else for just being nice and friendly! ;-)

I have written a short report on the day at www.suzuki4wd.net

I also made a DVD with some footage and photos that I've sent back to the Suzuki Club in Australia.

I'd love to get out for another session somewhere...

Chris

[kneedeep]

that was a great read well wrote. should be printed on this site..We are lucky to have the fun we do and that really shows thank you!! wish I was there.. but that gave a good feel for the event..

[Mud Lite]

I would also like the congradulate Chris on recieving the 'Intrepid Adventure ' Award. This goews to someone who lives farthest away. And you can't get much further than Australia. Please give me your current mailing adress so I can send it down to you.

Good On Ya!

[Twinkie]

Chris, excellent article. I didn't get to meet you, but am glad you had a good time. For a different taste of wheeling on the rocks, you do need to come to Paragon with the group in the fall.

[TheSarg]

If you wish coverage of another event (albeit non-zook based) on the August long weekend, pm me i can find u a seat.

[szabotage]

great writeup, Chris! sorry I didn't get a chance to meet ya, I kinda showed up late saturday. sorry you had to leave early cuz sunday was a blast too!

[Grumpy]

Hey Chris...if yer interested in our Paragon trip, it looks like I'll have a spare seat as my wife can't get the time off work....you're welcome to ride with me....oh yeah, and nice write-up.....cheers mate!

Steve.

[MuddMachine]

Awesome write up, Chris!

:beer:

I hope it was a day you'll never forget.

[kneedeep]

Hey Chris...if yer interested in our Paragon trip, it looks like I'll have a spare seat as my wife can't get the time off work....you're welcome to ride with me....oh yeah, and nice write-up.....cheers mate!

Steve.
where is the paragon trip and when is there many trucks?or is it a private get together?

[weldor guy]

man i'm so going next year
i missed out! ahhhhhhhhhhhh

[Grumpy]

where is the paragon trip and when is there many trucks?or is it a private get together?

Check it under the "Trails" heading and look for Paragon Adventure Park on the web....

Steve.