If there’s one thing that makes Bobby Nitro look skeef, it’s a kwaai off-road vehicle that never sees any off-road. After all, use that machine for what it’s intended, bra.
So it’s a good thing that this kwaai group of mense, the Atlantis 4X4 Club, regularly put their vehicles through the test in the nearby Atlantic dunes, having loads of fun with the family and taking local kids along for thrilling days in the dunes.
The dune field, just there on the left as you approach Atlantis off the West Coast Road, is the biggest in the Western Cape, and has for years been used by 4X4 enthusiasts, sandboarders and for movie shoots.
Bobby spoke to the Atlantis 4X4 Club members about their latest venture. Frank Syme, who, like most of the members, is powered by a Lexus V8, says: “I grew up in the area, as kids we used to play in the dunes, and see that we have a great asset in these dunes.
“We have always been involved in our community, you know Atlantis is a poor area and could benefit from extra funds for the projects we run here, the soup kitchens and schools. So we’re asking the City to send some of the movie business that uses the dunes our way. We know what’s going on on the ground and we’re committed to funnelling that money back into the community.
“We have approached schools and set up a reward system where we take kids who work hard and achieve out for a day in the dunes.”
Parkview Primary School Principal Waldy Kastoor adds: “The club, all being locals, make people aware of the environment and how not to create more damage.
“The club regularly takes groups of schoolkids out to help clean up the dunes, which are an important conservation area.”
Frank’s son Granville “G-Boy” Syme says: “Kids come up to me and complain that there is nothing to do in Atlantis, so I show them that we have this huge play area just on the doorstep. It makes me sad sometimes in Atlantis to see teenagers without purpose, and I want to do something about this.
“When they ask me how I got my car, I always leave kids with a message ‘finish school first, then you can make something of yourself’.”
About the driving, Granville says: “The guys are starting to realise that this is a lot of fun, you can involve the whole family, not like at the races where your wife stands on the side, with 4X4s everyone is in the car and enjoying it.
“Also, and this is huge, 4X4 is much safer, it’s not hectic stuff and requires totally different driving skills to straight line. Reading your surface, learning to apply just the right amount of power, not too little, never too much.”
Bobby can imagine that all that V8 power underfoot is extremely gratifying.
Another member of this crew, Jacques Crous, stresses the importance of always taking a friend along and always having recovery gear. Apparently he learned this the hard way, but some good still came out of his trials.
Jacques tells of his introduction to 4X4 and the dunes, saying: “We went out there for a friend’s birthday, and the very next week I bought my Hilux after thinking ‘I can’t believe we haven’t gotten into 4X4 before’.”
“So we took it out that weekend (still with small tyres) and ended up getting lost, stuck in a hole somewhere with nowhere to go and no idea where we were, the dunes are a really large area. It was getting dark and I was wandering around with a flashlight and who should drive up to me but Granville, who towed us out and we’ve been friends ever since.”
Jacques has since converted to a 7MGE straight six, that’s the powerplant you’ll find in a Supra, just minus the turbo.
Frank has these three guidelines for the skills you need offroad. “First,” he says, “hit the top and stop; never go over at high speed. Second, you must have a rope, spade and a first aid kit. Third, keep the traction.”
Granville adds that the club is ready and willing to help others get their 4X4s off the streets and into the dunes, and they are looking into giving lessons.
“Come and join us,” he says.
Frank’s number is 083 955 5765.