A lot of the newbies looking in on here would be forgiven for thinking that we all know each other and go way back, and the friendly banter on here does little to dispell that myth. I know how intimidating it can be when trying to mix with a new circle of people, and I would like to tell you a little story of a forum Newbie who signed up in 2010, not knowing anyone.

When I moved down to the coast back in 2006, I brought with me a knackered Buggy that I had picked up, and spent the next few years getting it on the road, with little or no help and assistance. I certainly did not know about any forums or clubs, and being in a new area, I didn`t have any mates down here to help me either. In the spring of 2010 I sold a set of wheels on ebay to a local guy, who came over to collect them and introduced himself as "Sawmill Jim", and had a good chat about my Buggy. During the chat, he told me about a Buggy Forum on the internet, and how there was a big Buggy gathering in a few weeks time for the Swanage Carnival.

I signed up on the forum, had a little peek as to what was going on, but was a little hesitant about replying, a bit like some of you newbies are now, but I did stumble across a phone number for the guy who was organising the Carnival called "Flags". Being the member of a diving club, I`m used to everybody having some strange nicknames, and this seemed no different.

I love car shows, and I also have a strange passion for Swanage, as its where I have done a considerable amount of diving, and normally I would have jumped at the chance. However, at the time, I was recovering after an operation and being away from home would be a major challenge - just didn`t appeal to me given my current state of health. It also transpired that some of my diving buddies were also going down to Swanage that weekend, but were struggling for a campsite as everywhere was booked for carnival week.

So I gave Flags a ring and asked if I could come and join in, even though I didn`t know anyone. Flags easily sold this event to me as a chilled out weekend with lots of beer and fun, and Lisa also agreed that it didnt seem too strenuous, and if it was, we could just come home. I cheekily asked if my buddies could pitch up in the corner also and this didn`t seem to be an issue, especially as they would be in the water for most of the time.

A Buggy camping weekend, surrounded by cars, in Swanage, with my diving mates, barbeques and a few beers? There was no way I was now going to miss the chance of this, stitches or not, I was going!

We are not newbies when it comes to camping, we have all the gear, but I couldn`t physically lift our large tent out of the loft, and neither did I really feel up to the challenge of big tent camping either, so we decided to grab a small cheap tent, pack the car really light, so if we had to make a quick return, it would be easy to pack up camp - little did I know that this decision would be a turning point of what was also about to happen.



We packed the car lightly - my stitches had not long been removed, and I climbed into the car for my first drive in nearly three months. I was a little apprehensive, as I was driving into the unknown - who were these people? Would I get on with them? Could I hold out for the whole weekend?

We turned up at the site, and before even pitching our tent, Snoopy and Vicki had thrust mugs of tea into our hands, before even introducing themselves - now that is a real friendly welcome to anyone!! We pitched tent, much to everybodies amusement, and the banter and introductions continued into the small hours. The weekend was indeed everything we had imagined it to be, chilled, relaxing, and we even popped out for an amazing cruise, stopping every so often for a photo opportunity and a natter - and then back to the campsite for a relaxing chill out, at a pace that even I could keep up with.




I can honestly say that I never felt like a Newbie at any time, we were both welcomed with open arms, and even my diving buddies were left absolutely speechless as to how friendly and accomodating everyone was. Obviously, with any club, there has to be a serious side to it, and we were asked to gather for some announcements and presentations, and this picture of Hunter and Chad will indicate just how seriously these things are taken (or not as the case may be). If my stitches had not been removed, they would certainly have burst by now.




During the presentations, Flags told a hillarious story that had everybody rolling around with laughter, and then said that they were going to make a special trophy award for something that had really tickled them that weekend - and it was the size of our tent (or lack of it). Liz and I are not small people, but our tent was certainly smaller than the play tent that young Sawmill Ben was playing with, and nobody could beleive that the two of us could physically get in it, let alone camp in it. By this time, we really had tears rolling down our faces, and I can honestly say that the trophy still sits in pride of place at home as a reminder of one of the best weekends we have ever had.




So for the Newbies out there reading this, not knowing anybody, and unsure just how or if to join in, I would like to say that it was not that long ago that I was in a similar position, not knowing anyone on here. I took the plunge and jumped in feet first, albeit hesitantly, and after one weekend away, I returned with all these people as my very good friends.




Three years later, after the sad and unfortunate demise of the original forum, I was asked if I would sponsor and set up a new one, and can honestly say that my friends on here have now become my family. If I had sat watching on the sidelines instead of making that decision to participate, I would have missed out on so much, and I hope that my story may inspire some of the hesitant Newbies amongst you to come and join in too, especially as the forum is such a great way of breaking the ice.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to catch up with each and every one of you at some point

Thats a nice story Dave, we have all been welcomed in  somewhere along the developement and apart from  Dr J as he was then  I have no idea who else got involved at the start of this whole beach buggy online community.
But it is great and friendly despite a few hiccups.

great story and a great insight into just how good a well run forum can be,
from a personal stand point I have yet to get my first buggy yet,
(soon - I hope)
after joining I did initially think this was like a few other forums I have joined previously (non-buggy ones I may add)
in that it seemed 'clicky'
an introductory post to let everyone know I was a newbie and looking to getting my first buggy and heck the flood gates seemed to open
chatted with a few members via forum posts and messaging too and found help and assistance was readily at hand
looking forward to meeting a few members 'in the flesh' at the stoneleigh kit car weekend
and as dave has mentioned it's initially a daunting prospect,
but there again no its not - afterall I've spoke to these good folks as friends on the forum
and we know a little about each other via the forum too
as such, im off to meet friends who's face's I haven't seen yet
not such a daunting prospect now 

great forum, great folks, who could ask for anything more 

Well put Dave.

.........still waiting for the flood of newbies to break their 1st post duck.........c'mon we don't bite.....we're not called Suarez!!!

(apologies for the footy reference, but I think it's justified on this occasion  )

[Anyway, the bottom line to any folks new to the site or new to buggies, come on, join in on the forums, ask away, try and come along to the meets even if you don't have a buggy yet (heck me and several notable members are / were buggy less too for some time) and I guarantee you will have a great time, make good friends who are always there for you.]

(Sshhsss... I don't think he got round to including the rule of football on this forum!  )

Great Post. Hope the "Newbies" read it and know we are a good bunch of friends. Being located where I am its been quite easy to meet many of the folks on here and all are friends. There are some good friends who I hadn't meet before but when I do, its like I've known them for ages. I have often quoted that most know/ have meet each other or if not, know the other by just 1 degree of separation. The humour is great - good friendly banter by far, OK yes I like playing along with taking the mickey out me, the hair dresser car etc.

But look at when "Newbies" come on, ask questions which many of us have seen before (because we have asked the same questions ourselves before), there's always plenty to answer the questions which may be just their opinions and quite subjective. We are all here to help each other. The huge amount of activity and friends on here make it the success it is. And yes many of us know the "in-jokes" from the old forum and yes that old forum was a great success too - lets face it thats how many of us got to know each other, but don't worry, you will soon get to know the jokes and join in and be a part of the banter too.

Anyway, the bottom line to any folks new to the site or new to buggies, come on, join in on the forums, ask away, try and come along to the meets even if you don't have a buggy yet (heck me and several notable members are / were buggy less too for some time) and I guarantee you will have a great time, make good friends who are always there for you. 

Nice one!
It reminds me of many years ago when i first got into the vdub scene... i made loads of proper good friends
Things have happened since then and i feel i've kind of dropped out of the bottom through the grate because i am without dub... but one day soon i will have dub (read:buggy) again and be ready to rock and/or roll with the likeminded you lot IF you don't mind?

I've been to more buggy get togethers in Mrs Buggybaggy's Honda Civic than I care to remember.  Nobody ever talks to me though, but that's cos I smell    
I'll be in it again on Sunday, but I'll be having a shower before I set off 

[My Youtube channel]

Nice one!
It reminds me of many years ago when i first got into the vdub scene... i made loads of proper good friends
Things have happened since then and i feel i've kind of dropped out of the bottom through the grate because i am without dub... but one day soon i will have dub (read:buggy) again and be ready to rock and/or roll with the likeminded you lot IF you don't mind?

Exactly! Dont worry a buggy is purely optional 
(but rest assured you will have the mickey taken out of you....     Well its only fair, I had enough of it during the last 18months or so!  )

Well said everyone, we were all 'newbies' once upon a time but as I remember back to my first beetle the vee-dub crowd have always been a friendly amicable bunch or maybe I've just been lucky!

Once I had decided I wanted to get back into it and had decided on getting a buggy I joined the old forum and quickly got into the banter as i'm quick to get in on a good ribbing but not adverse to getting it back myself (which i'm sure I will as i'm still off the road and many are now back on!) then as that dispersed I got told and joined here to continue although as yet I still hadn't met many if any people yet back then.

I have now met several people at various places or events plus had lots of help with parts and knowledge and I know they will be lots more to come, so just do it get involved and join in you won't look back once you do