July 5 – Cake & Wake: Celebrating Jericho Sailing Centre’s 40th Anniversary / MEC Paddlefest / Seaside Greenway Party

July 5 – Cake & Wake: Celebrating Jericho Sailing Centre’s 40th Anniversary / MEC Paddlefest / Seaside Greenway Party

Jun 27, 2014

Live music, balloons, clowns, a BBQ, cake and wake: the Jericho Sailing Centre is celebrating 40 years as Vancouver’s ocean community centre on Saturday, July 5, 2014; 1100-1730H; and everyone is invited to this family friendly, face painting, ice cream eating, wave lapping, ocean festival.

Prior to 1974 there was no such thing as a community centre dedicated to low cost ocean recreation in small, naturally powered craft; in Vancouver, or anywhere. As DND Base Jericho Beach was being demolished and Jericho Beach Park was evolving through the concrete cracks, a small group of passionate dinghy sailors shared their ocean community, non-taxpayer funded, vision with the city to save the former Jericho Beach Air Station’s Marine Building from the wrecking ball. The City thought it a good idea at the time and since then, many thousands of people each year have enjoyed the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Climb onboard for live music, balloons & BBQ at 1100H in the Jericho Sailing Centre’s plaza/picnic area just east of the main building. Check out sailing, paddling and rowing programs available through the Jericho Sailing Centre and see all the activity on the sea. We’ll start cutting cake and drawing prizes at 1300H including airfares from Harbour Air and gift cards from MEC. Then we’ll hear from special guests including Point Grey MP Joyce Murray and Jericho’s Park Board Commissioner Liaison Trevor Loke. Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Constance Barnes will also attend. Her father, former MLA Emory Barnes, was quick to recognize that a low cost ocean community centre may have a future in a city named after a sailor, and was a featured dignitary at the official launch of the Jericho Sailing Centre 40 years ago. Jericho’s own, Disabled Sailing Association Founder, former Vancouver Mayor, and current MLA Sam Sullivan will be among our honoured guests to dedicate one of 2 new Jericho Rescue boats purchased with the assistance of a Provincial Gaming Grant. The music and seaside community atmosphere plays on until 1730H.

Our 30′ balsa core catamaran “Albatross” was built in the late 1970’s with volunteer labour ably assisted by rowing shell designer/builder Chris Haas.

For more information on Vancouver’s ocean community centre or the Jericho Sailing Centre’s 40th Anniversary celebration please contact Mike Cotter in the JSCA office.

July 5 Schedule @ Jericho Sailing Centre

0900H 2014 MEC Paddlefest begins

1100H 40th Anniversary Celebration begins

1300H Special guests and Jericho Rescue boat dedication

1700H MEC Paddlefest ends

1730H 40th Anniversary Celebration concludes

We are looking for JSCA members to volunteer during our celebration; we’ll buy you a BBQ lunch.

We are still looking for sponsors to provide draw prizes For more info please contact Mike in the JSCA office.

Thanks to our great draw prize sponsors, we still have room for more:

MEC Paddlefest

You can go for a test paddle, participate in a hands-on skills clinic, browse exhibitor’s booths, and hunt for deals at the MEC Paddleswap. There’ll also be live performances, entertainment, food vendors and kids’ activities. Bring your friends and family, and come celebrate the fun of floating!

For full event info., paddle over to:

http://events.mec.ca/event/15764/mec-paddlefest-vancouver-2014

Seaside Greenway Party July 5

Mark the date and come celebrate the completion of one of Vancouver’s best public realm treasures on Saturday July 5 from 11 am – 3 pm.

The Seaside Greenway that connects downtown’s Seawall and False Creek with Jericho Beach is ready to be biked, walked, or rolled – and may the best costume win! There will be music, food, kids crafts, games and more along the route and especially closer to Jericho Beach. Bring your decorated bikes, kids and picnic baskets!

Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette

Common sense and consideration of fellow members help make the Jericho Sailing Centre a true community centre with a friendly salt water community atmosphere. Here are a few etiquette reminders to keep things sailing along smoothly: Do not leave your craft unattended on the shoreline for extended periods – share the shore. RAMPS, and the areas adjacent to launching ramps, are for craft launch/retrieval only. Do not rig, repair or otherwise loiter in this area.Do not leave or rig your craft in the rinsing areas adjacent to hosing stations.The Jericho Sailing Centre is a SMOKE/VAPE FREE facility. There is No Smoking/Vaping permitted in any Vancouver Park or beach area.Give pathway users the right of way and bear in mind they may be distracted and not aware that you are crossing the pathway with your craft or launch rope.Launch dollies are for launching/retrieval only (not for storage) and must be returned to the fence immediately after use.If you launch from your own dolly or trailer return it to your storage spot after launching.Do not use the winches unless you are familiar with their safe operation. Winch instruction is available from staff or Jericho Rescue Team members. Only members or registered guests may use winches & dollies.Only leashed, well behaved, non-barking/whining dogs are allowed in the compound. No dogs are allowed in the building or on the deck. Do not tie dogs to the base of stairwells or in other traffic areas. Do not leave your dog on shore while you are on the water. The City prohibits dogs on beaches. In consideration of other Jericho users please consider leaving your dog at home while visiting the Jericho Sailing Centre.Please coil hoses immediately after use and conserve water.Do not block aisle ways.Rinse racks are for rinsing not drying.Swimming is prohibited in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre.
Colder Conditions Require Appropriate Attire and Preparation

Winter conditions can be challenging. Some people look forward to winter ocean recreation as a way to keep enjoying the salt water sports that they love. Over the years, Jericho Rescue has rescued people in the initial stages of hypothermia at all times of year. In winter, this is a risk people should be mitigating with proper preparation. Tim Murphy sails on a blustery, chilly day in mid January. Note the smaller ILCA 6 rig, drysuit and toque. Tim also made sure to stay close to shore in case something went awry. Upgrade your attirePlay safe and dress for survival. Now that the air and water temperatures have become noticeably cooler, the wetsuit or thermally protective attire that may have been optional in the summer months are now mandatory. It depends on your activity. If you are sailing or windsurfing then a cold water wetsuit is in order. A full length 4/3mm or thicker wetsuit with a proper hood or hat would be a minimum (a 5/4mm or thicker suit would be even warmer). Wetsuit manufacturers also offer accessory thermal layers to add warmth as conditions get colder. This is a great way to extend the usefulness of your regular suit. Some folks prefer drysuits – this time of year it would be important to make sure you are wearing proper insulating layers beneath your drysuit. In either case, check to make sure your suit is in good condition with no holes and that the seals are functioning properly. Heat loss from your head and/or neck should be addressed with a hood, hat and/or a neck tube. Neoprene booties, gloves or mittens are also a good idea. If paddling or rowing, its a good idea to add insulating and/or wind-blocking layers to a dry bag in the bottom of your boat. This way you can layer up and down as you cycle through work and recovery intervals during your workout or if you end up getting wetter than expected. It’s important that these layers work well when wet and do not absorb water – wool and synthetics are recommended. Be smart about your activity patternsSailing, paddling or rowing in the cold means being smart about your route and preparation. Mitigate your chances of being caught out in the cold by doing more laps closer to home instead of forging further from shore. If windy, make your way upwind first to protect against getting caught downwind should something go wrong. Be conservative with your gear choices, skill and endurance levels. The cold combined with extra attire always makes activity a little more difficult and the consequences of gear or skill failure are more dangerous. Choose a smaller sail, or a more seaworthy kayak than you might choose in similar conditions during the summer. Resist the urge for “one more reach” and make sure you’re on shore before you get tired or before the cold reduces your ability to operate your craft competently. These UBC Sailing Club kayakers are well equipped for winter paddling. Note the safety gear on deck, drysuits, neoprene hoods, a calm day and a buddy to paddle with. If you do fall into ice cold water unprepared, your body will cool off more quickly than it can generate heat. The 1-10-1 rule states that after a minute of fast breathing and panic, you’ll only have about 10 minutes or so of coordinated gross motor strength and function and one hour of consciousness. Plan your route so that you can quickly return to shore should you get colder than expected during your activity. However, if you cannot manage to re-board your craft after a capsize, always stay with your craft – it is far easier to spot than a person in the water. Have a plan to call for help if you need it.The law requires a sound signalling device, but a whistle or horn is no good if no one is on the water to hear it. If you do venture further from shore be prepared with a way to call for help. A cell phone in a waterproof case or a VHF marine radio (as long as you are licensed to operate it) are good items to bring with you. Safety in numbersUse the Buddy System. Always sail, paddle, or row with someone else, especially in cold water conditions. Let a reliable friend or relative know when and where you are going and when you expect to return. Diligently contact them upon your safe return. For more information on cold water survival surf on over to Cold Water Bootcamp.
SAFETY is YOUR responsibility

On the ocean there are elements of risk that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Regardless of how you decide to use the ocean always show courtesy to others. Please adhere to the code listed below and share with others the responsibility for a safe ocean experience. It is every member’s responsibility to know and observe the rules of the road when on or near the water. Here are some key rules which every Jericho member must know and practice.0.5 IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID A COLLISION 1. Always wear your P.F.D. on the water.2. Sail powered craft have the right of way over power craft, paddle and rowing powered craft.3. All non-commercial vessels shall keep well clear of commercial vessels.4. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to pass between a tug and it’s tow.5. A port tack sailing vessel shall keep clear of a starboard tack vessel.6. A windward vessel shall keep clear of a leeward vessel.7. A vessel clear astern shall keep clear of a vessel ahead.8. Any vessel overtaking another shall keep clear.9. A vessel tacking or gybing shall keep clear of a vessel on a tack.10. The area south of the orange can buoys is for training or transiting only.11. Swimming or wading on the beach in front of the Centre is prohibited and is particularly dangerous for small children.12. It is unsafe to loiter or let children play near the bottom of launching ramps.13. Stay well clear of the end of the Jericho Pier as fishers cast lines as far as possible.14. Be cautious of pathway traffic when launching/retrieving.15. Do not leave your craft on the shoreline for extended periods of time. Common sense goes a long way toward maintaining a safe environment. Membership in the Jericho Sailing Centre Association is contingent on members knowing and observing the Safe Ocean Sailing rules.

July 5 – Cake & Wake: Celebrating Jericho Sailing Centre’s 40th Anniversary / MEC Paddlefest / Seaside Greenway Party