What is the Ojai Adventure Club?
Exploring & Protecting Public Lands
We are a group of outdoor adventurers who care about our natural world.
We use street-legal two and four wheeled vehicles for back-country excursions on appropriately designated roads and trails.
We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization supported by donations, membership dues, sponsorships and other socially-conscious fundraising events.
We have a great time working to safeguard, preserve & maintain motorized access in the Los Padres National Forest & Carrizo Plain National Monument.
In California:
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Los Padres National Forest
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Carrizo Plain National Monument
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Sequoia National Forest
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Mojave Desert
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Death Valley National Park
DISCOVER
ADVENTURE WITH
A POSITIVE MISSION
Motorcycle Club
4WD Club
MISSION STATEMENT
To Protect our Public Lands
By exploring, preserving & maintaining motorized access on designated roads and trails.
To benefit wildlife conservation and habitat preservation
Providing educational, guided motorcycle and 4-wheel backcountry tours.
Working to safeguard environmentally sustainable public access.
Promoting the safe and respectful use of such roads and trails.
What Does the
Ojai Adventure Club Do?
Assists Government Agencies
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. national Park Service
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
Support Activities
• Excursions, club rides & drives usually pass through a particular US Forest Service Ranger District or Bureau of Land Management Region and will be noted as such in their marketing and promotion.
• Club Rides/Drives/Hikes will always have an objective directly related to our Organization’s Mission, where we perform some kind of service that the USFS, BLM, Fish & Wildlife or other agency or NGO finds important.
• Relevant issues and information pertaining to each area are noted and disseminated during the marketing and promotion of and also during the course of the Premium Guided Tours.
• This is intended to increase participants’ awareness of the issues and challenges relating to each area, and as relevant to the particular tour.
• Thus they come to greater understanding of where their Tourist Dollars are going and how they are making a positive difference, while in pursuit of their favorite outdoor recreational activities with the Ojai Adventure Club.
Auxiliary Services
• En Route Trash Collection on all excursions
• Reconnaissance and Reporting on the condition of roads, gates, trails and other access related issues
• Observation and Reporting with regards to wildlife and habitat related concerns
• Identification and Reporting on illegal grow sites, trash dumps, shooting ranges, vagrant activity, vandalism, etc.
• Volunteer Repairs to gates, fences, trails, roads and other installations
• Volunteer Assistance and Fundraising for larger scale maintenance, construction and repairs
Operating Principles:
- We strive to educate outdoor enthusiasts about sensitive environmental areas, ensuring that they stay on roads and trails as designated and not wander, ride or drive anywhere else.
- In areas classified as “Wilderness” use is restricted to non-mechanized access such as backpacking and equine packing.
- We educate the public to understand the importance of staying on designated trails anywhere.
Public Activities
- The Ojai Adventure Club offers various ways of venturing into the backcountry in our part of Central California.
- Social events and excursions that are free to the community at large.
- Premium eco-tours that are mainly staffed and supported by the membership.
By facilitating responsible adventure in the wilderness, our organization helps people to get more educated about their natural environment
Ideally leading them to make more valuable contributions to wildlife conservation, habitat preservation and the maintenance of appropriate access to public lands, trails, etc.
LEADERSHIP
Reed Christy
Board Chair
Reed says:
“I feel that traveling overland on a motorcycle is like a modern-day form of horseback riding. One really connects with the environment on a much more intimate level through the smells, sights, sounds and feelings. The discovery of new regions …”
Sasha Panasyuk
Vice Chair
Sasha says:
“Choosing the road less traveled is a risk, and without risk we don’t grow. I’m excited to join the board and help push the Club’s vision of sharing the experience of adventure motorcycling, while being beneficial to wildlife conservation and sustainability.“
Meline McWhirter
Treasurer
Meline says:
“In life, I always look for the adventure. Traveling to new places, meeting new people and introducing my son to the world is what keeps me happy and engaged in life. Making meaningful connections with people brings me great joy…”
Chris Montigny
Secretary
Chris says:
“I am very blessed to be married to a wonderful wife and have three boys that I am very proud of. I am excited to lend a hand in growing the OAC to be a vibrant and sustainable organization that will be able to serve its mission effectively…”
Rich Hill
BOARD MEMBER
Rich says:
“I am excited to help continue the journey the club has been on in expanding outreach to motorcyclists that are looking for thoughtful and meaningful experiences on two wheels.”
Greg McMillan
BOARD MEMBER
Greg says:
“When I am not involved in organizational work you will find me tending to my olive orchard and grass-fed herd of cattle; traveling to experience foreign flora, fauna & cultures; keeping a close watch on my beloved Carrizo Plain; or (too seldom) just sitting on my patio with my binoculars and a bird book, just waiting for the sunset.”
Deon de Wet
Executive Director
Deon says:
“I find it fascinating how something mechanical, like a motorcycle, can be so useful and effective as a vehicle/device for accessing some states of enlightenment that are so similar to those that one could strive for on a more formal spiritual path…”
From the Founder, Deon de Wet:
My Philosophy
Looking back on a lifetime of worldwide backcountry adventure travel and almost two decades of practicing and teaching Yoga & Mindfulness, I feel truly blessed to have so many fond memories. A native of South Africa who has lived in California for 30+ years, I have come to understand that spending time off the beaten track is a spiritual experience that brings us in harmony with nature and allows us to interact with a region’s particular animal and plant life. For myself, as for many others, there is added meaning in giving back, by making a positive contribution to the health and vitality of the habitats with which we interact.
Motorcycle Riding
Four Wheel Driving
