The Aripeka Sandhill Crawlers is a community of hobbyists who gather weekly at the Aripeka Sandhills Preserve to drive remote-controlled rock-crawling vehicles. The preserve, once a limestone mine, features a unique 30-foot sand and rock mound that provides an ideal terrain for these battery-powered model trucks and Jeeps. About two dozen regulars attend each Sunday morning event, with a Facebook group boasting over 1200 members from across several Florida counties. While the hobby primarily attracts men and boys, women, children, and their families also participate in the gatherings and swap meets. The hobby has provided significant personal benefits for some participants, including stress relief and social connection for Derek Mando who uses it as therapy for PTSD.
Facts
- The Aripeka Sandhills Preserve was once a limestone mine that left behind a 30-foot mound of sand and rock ideal for RC vehicles.
- About two dozen regular hobbyists gather each Sunday morning at the preserve, with a Facebook group having over 1200 members.
- Hobbyists from Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties travel to attend the weekly gatherings due to the unique terrain.
- Derek Mando has invested about $45,000 in his RC vehicles and uses the hobby as therapy for PTSD, helping him reduce medication use.
- A quality used 1/10-scale crawler can be found for $100 to $150, while new models range from $250 to $300.
