KEEPING THE SPORT ALIVE AND SUPPORTING ASA

Introduction

When we head out to the dunes or a sand-sport event, it’s more than just a weekend of fun. For the sand-duning community and especially for organizations like the American Sand Association (ASA), event attendance plays a crucial role in preserving our access, growing our voice, and ensuring our sport thrives for generations. The right to ride isn’t guaranteed—we earn it, defend it, and build it each time we show up, behave responsibly, and engage.

Here’s how showing up at events supports that mission — and how you can make the most of your attendance.

1. Show the Numbers: Event Attendance = Visibility

When you attend a sand-sport event (a dune rally, sand show, swap meet, clean up, expo, etc.), you become part of the living proof that the sport is alive, active, and meaningful. The ASA’s mission is to “Unite, Inform and Mobilize the sand duning community to protect the right to ride on all public lands.”
By having a visible, vibrant community at events:

• Land managers, policy-makers and the public see active participation.
• Sponsors and vendors notice a healthy customer base for sand recreation.
• ASA can point to real numbers and engagement when making access-arguments.
  Your attendance sends the message: “Yes, we are here. Yes, we care. Yes, this matters.”

Tip

Check in at registration, sign-in sheets, event apps or social posts when you arrive. Wear your ASA attire or sticker. Be visible. That helps the count.

2. Visit the ASA Event Booth & Other Supporting Orgs

Most major sand-sport events include exhibitor booths. The ASA often has one. For example, ASA runs an annual raffle car as a fundraiser and uses event presence to promote it.
When you stop by the ASA booth (or other dune advocacy groups):

• You learn of the latest access issues, petitions, letters, and how to help.
• You meet the people behind the scenes—staff, volunteers, advocates. That builds connection.
• You reinforce the organization financially (through membership, raffle tickets, permit purchases) and socially.

Tip

Make a point: “Before I wander off to the dunes, I’ll hit vendor row and stop at the ASA table.” Say hi. Ask: What’s the current access fight? Are there petitions I can sign or letters I need to write? What can I do this week? Get a business card.

3. Engage: Sign Petitions, Take Action-Letters

Access doesn’t just happen on its own. The ASA and its partners are actively working in the legal, regulatory, and public lands arenas. ASA emphasizes the fight to keep the dunes open: “We are a dynamic, aggressive organization fighting hard to protect your right to recreate on public lands!”

At events you’ll often see:

• Petitions for open access or against proposed closures
• Letters to land managers/federal officials
• Opportunities to volunteer or speak up
• Information on upcoming meetings (BLM, county, state) where your voice matters

Tip

Bring a small notebook or your phone’s notes app. If you sign a petition or commit to action, record date + the ask. Later you can follow up (“Yes, I signed that — here’s my reference”). Make yourself a part of the chain of involvement.

4. Lead by Example: Your Vehicle, Your Behavior, Your Ethics

Showing up is only half the story. How you show up is equally important. Every ride, every campfire, every dune run reflects on the entire community and access-rights. The ASA emphasizes “responsible, environmentally balanced” riding.
Here are key behaviors:

• Safety gear: flags, helmets for SxS, seat-belts, roll-cages where required
• Obey rules: speed limits, designated areas, respect signage, avoid closed zones
• Stewardship: pack out what you pack in, minimize disturbance to wildlife or vegetation
• Trail etiquette: yield when needed, no reckless driving, be courteous to other users

Tip

Before the event: check your equipment. Ensure your flag is mounted, tires in good shape, safety gear ready. During the event: set the tone for others. After the event: share your good stories and your learning on social media (tag ASA if applicable) to reinforce the positive example.

5. Support ASA Financially Through Registration, Raffles, Permits

Events provide financial support to the community and to organizations like the ASA. For example: ASA’s raffle program is a major fundraiser.

Also: the ASA encourages purchase of season permits (e.g., for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area) via the ASA website, with a portion supporting their work. (Get your season pass for Glamis here.)
By paying registration fees, buying raffle tickets, signing up for membership — you’re investing in the fight for access.

Tip

At the event: buy raffle tickets, talk to the ASA rep about membership (even a $25 level helps). Ask: “What portion goes to advocacy?” Make that part of your budget for the season.

6. Learn from Other Duners and ASA Representatives

Events are excellent learning hubs. Whether you’re seasoned or new to dunes, there’s always something to pick up:

• Tech talks, gear demos, vendor panels
• Q&A sessions with ASA staff or volunteers
• Stories from veteran riders: What obstacles have they faced in access? What solutions did they apply?
• Networking: trade tips on sand conditions, best gear, dune etiquette, emergency preparedness

Tip

Schedule time at the event: set aside an hour to just walk vendor booths, talk to one new person, ask one new question. Take a photo, jot down a tip, share it later on your blog or social. Learning becomes content.

7. Network & Build Community

Access isn’t just legal or regulatory—it’s social. The strength of our voice comes from many voices united. Attending events lets you connect:

• Meet fellow dune riders; share experiences, challenges, solutions
• Form informal groups: camp together, plan group rides, talk strategy
• Build relationships with ASA staff/volunteers: they are your teammates in the access fight
• Encourage newcomers: bring a friend to the next event; mentor someone new

Tip

Bring business cards or social-handles (you have your Instagram, Facebook, YouTube already). After the event, follow up: “Great meeting you at the ASA booth—let’s catch the next ride.”

8. Campfire, Story & Lifestyle – Reinforcing the Why

Don’t forget the heart of it: the campfire chat, the dune run at golden hour, the connection with the land. These moments reinforce why we ride and why access matters.
When you attend events and participate in the community side of things, you’re celebrating the lifestyle too. That makes the advocacy real, not just theoretical.

Tip

Share a favorite photo at campfire or dune sunset, tag ASA (or otherwise stand with the cause), and caption: “I ride because …” These stories help humanize the access fight.

9. Other Ways to Make Event Attendance Count

• Bring the ASA recruiting materials to your local club or ride day.
• Offer to volunteer at the ASA booth for part of the event.
• Document the event: video interviews, short Reels (you said you’re doing more video content). Show the “behind the scenes” of access advocacy.
• Share the stories post-event: blog recap, Instagram carousel, YouTube vlog—everyone seeing it helps.
• Challenge yourself: each event pick one new action (e.g., one petition signed, one membership upgraded, one new connection, one social post).

Conclusion

Attending sand-sport events isn’t just about recreation—it’s essential for keeping our sport alive, visible, relevant, and accessible. When you show up to an event, behave responsibly, engage, support, learn, and network, you’re doing your part in a movement that extends beyond dunes into policy rooms, land-management discussions, future-riders’ rights, and the cultural legacy of sand recreation.

So next time you load up, drive to the dunes or event, stop at the ASA booth, talk to the people, sign the petition, buy the raffle ticket, set the safety example, and enjoy that campfire knowing: you’re riding for today and for tomorrow.

JOIN/SUPPORT ASA here.

VISIT ASA at Camp RZR