Tips to Avoid a

Dune season is finally here which means off-road enthusiasts from all over will soon be heading to destinations such as Pismo, Dumont and of course Glamis. Although sand is a favorite amongst off-road enthusiasts for its soft surface and ever-changing landscape, riders should take extra precaution when riding to prevent hitting a deep hole aka the “Witch’s Eye.” A witch’s eye is a deep hole in the sand that varies in size; can be the size of an ATV tire to as big as a backyard pool. It is one of the most dangerous obstacles in the dunes because they tend to be at the back side of a dune or hill and are hard to see. The dunes change constantly due to the wind gusts so the path you used over and over again the day before can suddenly become full of witch eyes overnight. Hitting a witch’s eye can not only cause severe damage to your vehicle, but the driver and passengers can get seriously injured ending your dune adventure abruptly.

🔻Here are some tips on how you can avoid hitting a witch's eye and stay safe throughout your time in the dunes. 🔻

Tip #1: Be Alert

One of the best ways to stay safe in the dunes is to stay alert and always be looking ahead. The driver must be paying attention to their surroundings and be ready to react instantly in case you come across one of those nasty witch’s eye. If the rider takes their eyes off the road for even one second, you may miss a sinkhole, sudden dropout or even another enthusiast!

Tip #2: Never Go Straight up on a Dune

When riding the dunes, NEVER go straight up a dune, ever! if you can’t see what’s on the other side don't risk it. Usually, a dune is steep on one side and smooth on the other again with shifting winds and multiple usages it can be completely different on the other side of the face. The best way to “inspect” the backside of a dune is to try to cross ridges at an angle so that you will get to see over and can react quickly if there is something bad on the other side.

What could be on the other side of a dune:
-Drop Off (Razor Edge)
-Witches Eye
-Oncoming Rider

Tip #3: Ride With an Experienced Rider

It is a good rule of thumb to always follow an experience duner who knows how to read the dunes. As the leader of the ride, they will let you know when there is a witch’s eye ahead giving you plenty of time to go around it instead of hitting it and causing some serious damage. Always keep a safe distance, at least a 2 car length, so that if a quick move is made to avoid something you will have time to react.

DUNER TIP:
If you're on a ride and you come close to a "Witch's Eye" in the dunes, safely slow down and throw your hand up out of your UTV as "stop signal" for the riders behind you. Many experienced riders use this hand signal frequently for dangerous terrain and situations. You can also use car-to-car headsets to communicate these dangers to your fellow riders as well.

Tip #4: Wear Tinted Goggles

The reason the witch’s eyes are so dangerous is that you cannot see them coming up ahead when you are riding. If you are riding the dunes in the middle of the day in bright sunlight, there is little depth perception making it extremely hard to see the bottom of the hills. If you are wearing goggles, it is a good idea to change the tint in the lenses to help you see a lot better. Changing the goggle lenses to a yellow or orange tint will help reduce midday glare making it so much easier to see the dips that are ahead. And of course, for night riding wear a clear lense so that your eyes will see the trail ahead without any filters.

DUNER TIP:
We recommend bringing 2 pairs of goggles with you on a ride, a tinted pair (for most of your day), and a clear pair (for dusk/night riding). This way you are covered all day with the right eye protection. Changing lenses from clear to tinted can be tedious on the go and if you don't insert the lens correctly, you will get tons of sand in your eyes. This is why its best to just invest in 2 pairs of goggles.

🛒SHOP GOGGLES

Good Luck & Ride Safe!

A Witches Eye can be extremely dangerous if you do not know how to ride the dunes appropriately. Never take your eyes off the road and make sure you
ride with an experienced rider. Staying alert during your ride is the greatest tip for any duner because it will allow you to react quickly if any witch's eye gets in your way. Following these tips will keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your Sand Dune experience to the fullest.

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Tips to Avoid a "Witch's Eye" at the Sand Dunes

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