Rebelle U Trainings
Driving, navigation, preparation, and teamwork skills.
Our 2, 3, and 4 day trainings provide a comprehensive platform for success. Whether you are a returning or future Rebelle competitor or just gearing up for backcountry adventures. Our classes and curriculum are well-honed and focus on positive outcomes and key skill building at the proper moment. Taught by our highly experienced instructors, these fundamental skills will take you into your future journeys and adventure-filled life.
Rebelle U Courses Offered
Rebelle U 4-Day Driving and Navigating Intensive
The 4-Day Intensive teaches a variety of skills required for both off-road driving and traditional navigation and is designed to accommodate students with beginning to intermediate levels of experience. These skills are not only needed to compete in the Rebelle Rally, but also set students on the path to be competent, safe, and effective during other automotive-based adventure travel.
The price is $2,600 per vehicle, for up to 2 people per vehicle.
During the driving portion of the class (2 days), students learn a variety of car-control techniques and advance their understanding of vehicle dynamics in classroom-type discussions (aka chalk-talks) and driving exercises on surfaces that range from rocky and rough to sand dunes. Other topics covered include vehicle systems and set-up, safe and effective self-recovery, vehicle preparation and simple maintenance, and team dynamics and communication.
The navigation portion (2 days) begins with in-depth coverage of individual world-navigation concepts. It then combines these concepts with training on a variety of traditional navigation tools (maps, compass, plotter, minute ruler, etc.) to provide students with a comprehensive view of the principles and techniques required for non-digital navigation and route-following. The class also covers the reading and use of a traditional rally roadbook, which is a form of directional navigation that is used in the Rebelle Rally and rallying throughout the world. Students have a chance to put these skills into practice in the field during a mock rally on the final day.
2025 dates coming soon.
Spring Sessions – Ocotillo Wells, CA
This location has been the heart of our training sessions for over ten years with easy access to a large variety of terrain and private camping in a beautiful and well-equipped palm tree oasis that has toilets, showers, a lounge area, and an outdoor kitchen. A truly unique experience and also a great chance to test your camping gear for the Rebelle!
August Session – Ridgecrest, CA
The hot desert summer is coming to a close in late August, but the temperatures are still in the 90s, so we base this training out of a host hotel in town. The navigation class is held in the hotel’s conference room and the mock rally is held on location nearby in the desert.
Attendees must supply their own vehicle. We recommend bringing a 4WD or AWD vehicle, preferably one that would fit into either of the two Rebelle Rally classes: 4×4 or X-Cross. For students who are flying in, we recommend renting; there are many suitable stock 4WD vehicles such as Jeeps or Toyotas that are available at standard rental companies.
Fuel and/or vehicle charging are not included. Students will be given information regarding fueling and/or charging locations, and are expected to handle their own logistics regarding this.
The Ocotillo-based sessions are remote and provide a private camping location (included) and an option for meals, which can be purchased separately. Coffee, water and snacks available for all participants. The Ridgecrest-based session is located at a host hotel in town, where food and lodging options (hotel or camping) are available.
Tools and equipment are not included. Students will be given a list of required navigation tools that they will need to bring. Maps and exercise documents will be supplied. Other equipment, such as camping gear, may be rented.
Rebelle U 2-Day Navigation Course
The Rebelle U 2-Day Navigation Course begins with in-depth coverage of individual world-navigation concepts. It then combines these concepts with training on a variety of traditional navigation tools (maps, compass, plotter, minute ruler, etc.) to provide students with a comprehensive view of the principles and techniques required for non-digital navigation and route-following. The class also covers the reading and use of a traditional rally roadbook, which is a form of directional navigation that is used in the Rebelle Rally and rallying throughout the world. Students have a chance to put these skills into practice in the field during a mock rally on the second day of the course.
The price is $695 per person.
This course is typically run in conjunction with the 4-Day Driving and Navigation course.
- February 22-23, 2025 – Ocotillo Wells, CA
Spring Sessions – Ocotillo Wells, CA
This location has been the heart of our training sessions for over ten years with easy access to a large variety of terrain and private camping in a beautiful and well-equipped palm tree oasis that has toilets, showers, a lounge area, and an outdoor kitchen. A truly unique experience and also a great chance to test your camping gear for the Rebelle!
August Session – Ridgecrest, CA
The hot desert summer is coming to a close in late August, but the temperatures are still in the 90s, so we base this training out of a host hotel in town. The navigation class is held in the hotel’s conference room and the mock rally is held on location nearby in the desert.
A 4WD or AWD vehicle is optional. During the mock rally, students without their own car are encouraged to pair up into suitable vehicles, or may be assigned to an instructor vehicle.
Fuel and/or vehicle charging are not included. Students will be given information regarding fueling and/or charging locations, and are expected to handle their own logistics regarding this.
The Ocotillo-based sessions are remote and provide a private camping location (included) and an option for meals, which can be purchased separately. Coffee, water and snacks available for all participants. The Ridgecrest-based session is located at a host hotel in town, where food and lodging options (hotel or camping) are available.
Tools and equipment are not included. Students will be given a list of required navigation tools that they will need to bring. Maps and exercise documents will be supplied. Other equipment, such as camping gear, may be rented.
Rebelle U 3-Day Navigation Course
The Rebelle U 3-Day Navigation Intensive begins with in-depth coverage of individual world-navigation concepts. It then combines these concepts with training on a variety of traditional navigation tools (maps, compass, plotter, minute ruler, etc.) to provide students with a comprehensive view of the principles and techniques required for non-digital navigation and route-following. The intensive course provides additional practice and challenges both in the classroom and in the field for students to hone their navigation skills and become faster and more comfortable with the techniques.
The 2-Day Intensive (Friday, Saturday) includes a 1-Day Rebelle Trials. (Sunday). Trials is a full-day mock Rebelle Rally stage. Teams will be given trackers, maps, checkpoint guides, roadbooks, and bulletins and will “compete” in a single-day Rebelle Trial. Teams will be scored and provided with a summary of their day, however can receive help and coaching during the stage. This practice and testing of a team’s skills is an excellent way to prepare for the real Rebelle Rally or just enjoy the great Rebelle competition format.
The price is $1,100 per person.
The class also covers the reading and use of a traditional rally roadbook, which is a form of directional navigation that is used in the Rebelle Rally and rallying throughout the world. Students will be given roadbooks for practice and taught to perform the necessary calculations to be able to stay on time while following the roadbook.
Practice is what really sets this intensive course apart from the regular 2-Day course.
2025 dates coming soon.
Ridgecrest, CA.
The hot desert summer will be in full swing and the temperatures will be in the 90s, so we base this training out of a host hotel in town. Part of each day will be on-location in the desert, but most of the navigation class will be based out of the hotel conference room. The Rebelle Trials will be in the area surrounding Ridgecrest and will use some of the roads, terrain, and similar checkpoints that the Rebelle Rally has used in the past.
We recommend bringing a 4WD or AWD vehicle, preferably one that would fit into either of the two Rebelle Rally classes: 4×4 or X-Cross. For students who are flying in, we recommend renting; there are many suitable stock 4WD vehicles such as Jeeps or Toyotas that are available at standard rental companies.
Rebelle Trials is mock rally stage. Participants will take part in a 1-day rally stage complete with briefing, start/finish line and scoring. The stage will include a “day in the life of the Rebelle Rally” with map and compass challenges and a timed & on-route enduro challenge using vehicle and handheld scoring trackers. There is no better way to test your skills and you won’t get that anywhere else that at Rebelle U.
Never competed in the Rebelle Rally? Take the 3-day course including 2 days of navigation training + 1 Rebelle Trials. OR take the 4 day driving and navigation course with a “mini Trials” on Day 4.
Fuel and/or vehicle charging is not included. Students will be given information regarding fueling and/or charging locations, and are expected to handle their own logistics regarding this.
Food and lodging are not included. This Ridgecrest-based session will be located at a host hotel in town where food and lodging options are available.
Tools and equipment are not included. Students will be given a list of required navigation tools that they will need to bring. Other equipment, such as camping gear, MAXTRAX, or mechanical tools may be rented for a separate fee.
Rebelle U 2-Day Driving Course
The Rebelle U 2-Day Driving Course During the driving portion of the class (2 days), students learn a variety of car-control techniques and advance their understanding of vehicle dynamics in classroom-type discussions (aka chalk-talks) and driving exercises on surfaces that range from rocky and rough to sand dunes. Other topics covered include vehicle systems and set-up, safe and effective self-recovery, vehicle preparation and simple maintenance, and team dynamics and communication.
The price is $1,300 per vehicle, for up to 2 people.
This course is typically run in conjunction with the 4-Day Driving and Navigation course.
2025 dates coming soon.
Spring Sessions – Ocotillo Wells, CA
This location has been the heart of our training sessions for over ten years with easy access to a large variety of terrain and private camping in a beautiful and well-equipped palm tree oasis that has toilets, showers, a lounge area, and an outdoor kitchen. A truly unique experience and also a great chance to test your camping gear for the Rebelle!
August Session – Ridgecrest, CA
The hot desert summer is coming to a close in late August, but the temperatures are still in the 90s, so we base this training out of a host hotel in town. The navigation class is held in the hotel’s conference room and the mock rally is held on location nearby in the desert.
Bringing a 4WD or AWD vehicle is mandatory. This class is for stock manufacturer vehicles and not buggies or UTVs. 2WD vehicles are not accepted. For students who are flying in, we recommend renting; there are many suitable stock 4WD vehicles such as Jeeps or Toyotas that are available at standard rental companies.
Fuel and/or vehicle charging is not included. Students will be given information regarding fueling and/or charging locations, and are expected to handle their own logistics regarding this.
The Ocotillo-based sessions are remote and provide a private camping location (included) and an option for meals, which can be purchased separately. Coffee, water and snacks available for all participants. The Ridgecrest-based session is located at a host hotel in town, where food and lodging options (hotel or camping) are available.
Tools and equipment are not included. Equipment, such as camping gear, MAXTRAX, or mechanical tools may be rented for a separate fee.
Rebelle U 2-Day Dunes Driving Intensive
The Rebelle U 2-Day Dunes Intensive will teach a variety of skills required for driving dunes properly in a stock 4WD or AWD vehicle.
Students will learn how to read and understand dune formation and will develop a feel for the various surfaces in the dunes. During driving exercises that encourage safety and success, they will learn and practice proper line choice and throttle control when ascending, descending, and crossing/cresting dunes. Additionally, students will learn and practice safe techniques for getting their vehicle unstuck and using effective communication when working as a team.
The price is $1,300 per vehicle, for up to 2 people.
2025 dates coming soon.
Imperial Sand Dunes, Glamis CA
Bringing a 4WD or AWD vehicle is mandatory. This class is for stock manufacturer vehicles and not buggies or UTVs. 2WD vehicles are not accepted. For students who are flying in, we recommend renting; there are many suitable stock 4WD vehicles such as Jeeps or Toyotas that are available at standard rental companies.
Fuel and/or vehicle charging is not included. Students will be given information in advance of fueling and/or charging locations, but are expected to provide their own logistics regarding this.
Food and lodging are not included. Coffee, water and snacks are provided. The Glamis-based sessions are remote and while there is the option of camping at or near the training location, due to heat in September many students opt to stay at a hotel in the Brawley or Yuma areas and transit to class each day. Students should bring their food and drinks for each day. Brawley is approximately 30 minutes from the training venue.
Tools and equipment are not included. Due to the nature of the dunes course, we recommend bringing your own recovery equipment such as MAXTRAX, kinetic ropes, shovels, etc., as well as a mobile 12v air compressor and tire gauge for re-inflating your tires. We will have spares of all these, but please let us know in advance if you do not have this equipment or wish to receive a recommendation list for purchase.
In addition to Rebelle U trainings, we recommend the following training programs and instructors:
Arizona/Utah:
Barlow Adventures
Nena Barlow
info@barlows.us
(888) 928-5337
Pacific Northwest & Canada:
Overland Training Canada
Christopher Walker
info@overlandtrainingcanada.com
(604) 902-3331
East Coast:
Northeast Off-road Adventures
Scott Trager
Scott@nora4x4.com
(845) 514-9896
California/Colorado & multiple locations:
7P Overland
info@7p.io
(303) 351-5777
