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Clubs are to off-roaders as churches are to Christians. Some people feel they need them to be able to participate in the activities involved.
Clubs can be a great thing, to a certain point. Clubs are great for meeting new people, learning some tech information, picking the brains of fellow members, etc. But, when clubs start to tell you when/where you can/can't wheel, what you can/can't do on a wheeling trip, etc, that's when they are no good. A lot of clubs start to overstep their bounds and try to put labels and stipulations on you as a wheeler and your actions.
Everyone looks for something different in a club, and it's near impossible to please all of them. I look for comaraderie and escape from day-to-day life in general, as well as adrenaline rush from wheeling... I don't "need" a club for that. Just like a person doesn't need a church to pray to a god, but they still go, for a lot of reasons.
I have been involved with various clubs through the years, and have gotten out of them what I wanted, and moved on when they didn't suit my needs anymore. Some might say this is shallow, I don't think so. It makes perfect sense to me. Sometimes things don't fit you anymore after a while and you have to move on. Maybe you come back to them later, who knows.
If you are a complete nooob to offroading and need to learn the tricks and tips of trail running, fixing, modifying, etc.. then clubs are a perfect answer.
If you are a very patient experienced wheeler who enjoys leisurely trail rides and helping others, then a club is perfect for you as well.
If you are an extreme throttle jockey who loves to race around from obstacle to obstacle and climb crap in a hurry while not wanting to wait around for someone behind you etc, then a club is NOT for you.
So, clubs are great for some, and awful for others I guess. There are a 100 different types of wheelers out there, and probably a 100 clubs you can join.
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