S.W.A.T.T Poker Run 2012

This past weekend I received a call from the guys over at Kitt Equipment/Trailer Sales to see if I would come up to get some photos of the SWATT Poker Run. I would be riding shotgun in a Polaris RZR XP kitted out, needless to say I said yes.

 

Polaris RZR XP (with goodies)

South Western All Terrain Trails (S.W.A.T.T) held their 2nd Annual ATV/SxS Poker Run over the BC Day long weekend this year. It is a two day event where on Saturday it was the mud pit and obstacle coarse challenge. Sunday was the Poker Run through the extensive trail system now in place up at Hemlock. The parking lots were turned into camping spots for the riders to stay. The upper parking lot was were the SWATT info tent was located as well as a huge display by Kitt Equipement/Trailer Sales who were one of the main sponsors for the event.

Kitt Equipment on display

SWATT info and swag headquarters

It was a dry dusty scorching hot day and it was only 9am. They broke the riders into groups and sent the groups out at different intervals to keep traffic jams to a minimum. Just as our group was about to leave it came over the radio that a machine was on fire on the trail. Well that detained us for almost 90 minutes while they had to deal with that. No forest fire but unfortunately a RZR  pretty much melted away just leaving the frame. Pics of that at the end so keep reading.

Waiting at the marshaling area for fire to be dealt with

One of the staff heading up to help put out fire

Eventually.........
they got the fire out and we were on our way. Right away I realized it was going to be a very hot and dusty day, boy was it dusty.

This pretty much sums up my view for most of the day... DUSTY

I was sporting my Cotton Carrier camera system and lets just say the 1D Mark III and 70-200 which are sealed from the dust and elements was seriously put to the test this day. Because the trails were tight and I was riding shotgun in a RZR my photo taking was limited because we had no place to pull over most of the time. So unless the whole group stopped my photos were from the passenger seat while we were moving.

Quick shot from RZR of quad climbing a section

The turn around area was also where lunch was served and of coarse your draw for a card. After all it is a poker run. SWATT was serving up ice cold bottled water, chilli,buns, hotdogs ,chips and salad.

hotdogs and chilli

Lunch area

Lunch area

 All in all it was a great day. Gord from Kitt Equipment/Trailer Sales who was driving all day did an awesome job. His RZR XP has a wide stance and he negotiated everything and we never got hooked up or broke anything which is always a good thing.

 Before we knew it were back at the beginning and the final checkpoint to get the last card for the poker run and turn everything. Once you did that then you were eligible for the draw later that night on a brand new atv /utility trailer being given away by Kitt Equipment/Trailer Sales.  The highest poker hand wins the trailer.

Final checkpoint

Final checkpoint in upper parking lot

SO because it was difficult to pull over and with the fire delay it made it tough to get out  in front to get more action photos. Now that I know what it is all about I will be up there for the weekend next year. If your into quading or sxs action then be sure to check out the SWATT website.

Yours truly at the end , hot and dusty

I want to thank Gord and Kitt Equipment for inviting me up for the day. Had a blast, thanks. Wish I could have stayed for the prize handouts, heard it was a good time. Next year for sure. Also want to put out a big thanks to SWATT and all they are doing to ensure we and our kids will be able to enjoy this great sport and th BC baack country in the future.

Just as I was leaving these guys pulled in. Not how you want the day to come to an end.

Back country tow truck

Ok now on to the fire real quick. We were detained at the beginning of the day because a RZR in a group ahead of us caught on fire. Speculation was that the rear driver side brake was dragging and eventually caught on fire. That would be bad enough but again rumor has it his full gas can was on that side and was leaking a bit. Well you can guess how it ends.......... How many guys does it take to lift a RZR onto a trailer?.................2, once it cooled off. I know not funny. Trust me we all felt his pain.

How did this cheap light not melt away?

 Everything melted except for probably the cheapest thing on there, that one little light go figure.