The thing is where do you stop. when do you cater for the shore fisherman who wants a kayaker to take out his line, the use of spud guns to launch your baits, etc. etc. You are now allowed Quads and 4WDs to access areas in all competitions now but like all sports there are limitations that must remain. As for joining the NZACA without belonging to a club there is what is called the "Kiwi Club" which is for those who want to fish under the Governing body and also attend the Nationals. There is a fee of which I am not sure of the amount. I would, though, push for you to join a club that is local to you and take out of it what you can and if you are able, assist in making change. Cliques are sometimes appearance only as I found out when I joined Pania. There were rumours abound about the so called secret groups and indeed some people left because of their fears. Not true. There is not and was not one Member in Pania that was secretive nor forthcoming with information. You just needed to get off your arse and ask or travel to the different beaches and if they were there they would point you in the right direction, show you the right rigs, best bait etc. The thing was they will not babysit you. ie if you were there only to find out the best spots without getting out there, quite rightly you would be given the cold shoulder. I support that and advise new members of this. We have had 20 new Members in the last two months. All have fished with us and all have landed fish with the help and knowledge of other members.