WELL! ARE CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER OR WHAT? Ya Betcha!

Yip! The ball keeps rollin and the levels of proficencies continue to rise. There is no end to the interest  members and their partners apply in wanting to avail themselves of opportunity to enhance their formation skills. Its not for the badge - and a badge there is indeed  . . . .  but its the thirsting inside to be a better biker at the end of the day which impacts on each of us drawn to the passion.

Congratulations to these fine graduates and the high scoring achieved. Proves they put their heart into it!

Meet our new VOG Formation Officer!

VOG is proud to announce the accreditation and appointment of Douglas Defty of the Cape Metro Area cell as certified VOG Formation Officer.

Douglas Defty is an old biker who had many bikes in his life but he had a dream to one day buy a BMW GS 1200 which he did a few years ago. His wife, Carol however, also had a dream to one day ride her own bike. As her husband's dream became reality, so did hers this year when she bought Michelle Meise's Marauder and obtained a learners licence.

She also joined VOG which left Douglas, the spouse with more biking experience with a dilemma as he was unable to join VOG as the GS motor is not of V configuration.

What to do? Of course he promptly acquired a bike with a V motor and is now the the proud owner of a Yamaha Royal Star XVZ 1300 (must be the Meise influence). He named the bike "Spouse" in order to restore his pride as the more experienced bike riding spouse of the Defty couple. The only problem now is that the GS has become a garage queen as Spouse is on the road all the time!

On a more serious note, Douglas passed the course with a score of 95%. 90% and above being a pass requirement. A course which includes an in-depth understanding of the discipline of formation riding, a written test on VOG riding rules, a practical signals proficiency test and a practical test which includes evaluation of all VOG Formation Officer duties. Besides test scores, other vital aspects such as the member's motivation, level of confidence, leadership and the ability to make correct decisions under pressure are also taken into account. 

. . . Formation Officer Douglas Defty . . . .

All certified Formation Officer's have passed the course with a score of 90% and above as a pass requirement. A course which includes an in-depth understanding of the discipline of formation riding, a written test on VOG riding rules, a practical signals proficiency test and a practical test which includes evaluation of all VOG Formation Officer duties. Besides test scores, other vital aspects such as the member's motivation, level of confidence, leadership and the ability to make correct decisions under pressure are also taken into account. 

Congratulations and well done!  We trust that your appointment will add value to VOG nationally, your respective cells and also inspire other riders to enrol too! We encourage all members to enrol in the programme to better their bikemanship but passing all tests most certainly does not mean automatic qualification as a VOG formation officer. Besides passing the course which is a primary requisite, a member must also display leadership and all the vital aspects mentioned above.

Formation officers are both confident and competent accredited persons and their actions thus contribute to the valued safety of all members riding in a formation.
 
Ride safe!
Albert Otto (VO 014)
National Captain of Biking