In The Wind: September 9, 2020
THIS WEEKEND @ Jericho: By Popular Demand – 2 Days of Sunday Racing
On the JSCA’s pre-pandemic 2020 event schedule this weekend was going to be the Tasar BC’s regatta; an annual September event that started at the Jericho Sailing Centre over 30 years ago. Covid-19 torpedoed our original plan, but due to popular demand we will still conduct 2 days of sail racing this weekend: Sunday Racing on Sunday as usual, and on Saturday too, for all classes.
Registration for Sunday is nearly at the PHO Covid-19 limit as of this writing; so we are putting on an additional day to accommodate those who would have otherwise been left out. If we have not filled Saturday’s “Sunday Race” by Saturday morning, we welcome racers who are registered for Sunday to join Saturday’s event too.
Sunday Racing
Saturday, September 12
Sunday, September 13
Saturday, September 19
Sunday, September 20
First Start 1230H Registration required @ jracing.org
Sunday Racing – Pre-race Check-in Please
Racers please check-in with the race committee on the water before racing.
In the interest of keeping official numbers out on the race course we are now asking racers to both register online at jracing.org before racing and to check-in with the committee upon arrival on the race course – before competing in your first race. This will help keep us honest in our efforts to respect Dr. Henry’s Public Health Order and also help us resolve placeholder sail numbers to names and produce race results more efficiently. Thanks for your co-operation.
**COVID Guidelines Alert** SAIL RACERS MUST NOW PRE-REGISTER ONLINE
Jericho’s weekly Sail Racing programs have been increasing in popularity and numbers have been swelling to 1990s levels. While this is great news for our racers, we do have to be mindful of Dr. Henry’s Public Health order limiting events to a total of 50 people. Online registration is required on a event-by-event basis for both regular Sunday and Tuesday Nite racing programs. We apologize to those racers who have already registered for the entire season as they will be required to re-register every week like everyone else. Numbers will be capped at 44 participants based on class rule crew requirements for each type of registered boat. Once the limit of 44 participants is reached, any further racers will be turned away both on the water and from the registration process. Big thanks goes to Richard Spencer for being able to alter the code on https://www.jracing.org/ in such short order, protecting our ability to continue to offer regular racing programs.
Jericho Sailing Centre: Gate Keeper Ambassadors
With the summer winding down we are looking for more, friendly and diplomatic, JSCA member volunteers to assist us as Gate Keeper Ambassadors. Our goal is to inform people of the Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols and direct them to the appropriate gate. This is a great way to meet fellow Jericho Sailing Centre Association members and educate the public on all of the great ocean recreation opportunities available through the Jericho Sailing Centre. Gate Keeper Ambassadors will also open and close gates for their fellow, boat toting members.
Members who volunteer for this program will receive a stylish new Jericho Sailing Centre hat and a 2020 gate key. Please email info@jsca.bc.ca if you have any questions or would like to sign-up for a shift. Shifts are generally 2 hours. Thank you to all of the JSCA members who are volunteering in our Gatekeeper Ambassador program. You folks are the unsung heros of this coronavirus enriched season at the Jericho Sailing Centre! We gratefully accept drop-in volunteers during busy periods; please consider volunteering for an hour or so before or after your ocean therapy session.
SAFETY NOTICE: Receding Daylight – Ocean Gates Locked at Sunset (<1937H)
A reminder to all evening users of the Jericho Sailing Centre: tonight’s sunset is at 1937H (7:37pm for landlubbers). As we continue the long downhill slide to the winter solstice we are losing about 2 minutes of daylight each day. The wind frequently shuts off abruptly within an hour of sunset so if you are a sail powered craft you could run out of gas. Don’t sail any further from the Centre than you’d like to paddle considering tidal conditions and make sure you have your legally required paddle.
All craft on the water after sunset are required to display the appropriate lighting. Reference Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide for the legal requirements of your craft. Jericho Sailing Centre’s ocean gates are locked at sunset; if you plan to return after sunset it is your responsibility to ensure you have a gate key (available to all members $8).
Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols – Week 18
The Jericho Sailing Centre is sailing into Week 18 of operation under the Jericho Sailing Centre Stage 3 Covid-19 Safety Protocols. These protocols have been put in place to minimize the risk of spreading Covid-19 among the users, staff and volunteers of the Jericho Sailing Centre and must be strictly adhered to-no excuses, relaxation or Covid fatigue permitted.
The main gate will be the only access point for members and their guests during Stage 3. Non-member Galley patrons must enter via
Gate 1. (closest to the Jericho Pier). School patrons must go to the designated School Zone on the beach side of our facility:
GATE 1 MacSailing & The Galley.
GATE 4 Windsure.
GATE 5 Jericho Beach Kayak Centre
Everyone entering the Jericho Sailing Centre facility must: wear a facemask at all times, stay physically distanced at all times, wash their hands frequently, register upon entry*, and of course, be kind to each other.
Have your JSCA member card** with you and registration will be a quick card swipe. Please remember to pack your facemask with your equipment. Guests accompanying members will be required to provide their name and phone number*. All ocean gates will remain closed until needed for boat launching or retrieval.
To support the Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols we have located temporary washroom, changeroom, shower and handwash stations throughout the compound. Showers and changerooms within the building will not be available. Interior washrooms will have an occupancy of 1 and people with accessibility challenges will be given priority.
All traffic within the Jericho Sailing Centre hallways and staircases, will be One Way only to support physical distancing. Please look for directional signage through-out the building and compound. JSCA office service is accessible via 2 service windows on the east exterior wall under a temporary awning.
The success of our Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocol depends on the cooperation of our entire Jericho community. Although members have been exceptionally good about adapting to and following the new protocols over the past 17 weeks, there have been a few who have have put “self” over “community” by not wearing their face mask properly at all times within the Centre. Please do not be selfish. Together we are doing everything we can to minimize the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus. If we can all keep our respiratory droplets to ourselves we will succeed.
We expect to be tweaking and tuning the Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols through-out the summer as things evolve. We value our member feedback and input to help the Jericho Sailing Centre Association minimize the risk to all.
JULY 22 UPDATE: (the Disney Amendment)
A clarification of our facemask policy with respect to eating and/or drinking within the Jericho Sailing Centre facility:
“You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing while doing so.”
AUGUST 19 UPDATE (Community over Self)
Recently there have been a few instances of behaviour which are uncharacteristic of the Jericho Sailing Centre community: a few selfish members who have verbally abused their fellow members, volunteers or staff who have pointed out their failings with respect to the Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols. These protocols are not optional, they are a requirement for use of our facility during the pandemic. Selfish, abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and perpetrators could face immediate suspension of membership privileges. We are all under the same stress, we have been for a long time; please follow our protocols and remember to be kind to each other.
AUGUST 26 (Covid-19 in the neighbourhood)
A staff member at our neighbour Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has tested positive for Covid-19. All potentially exposed people have been notified and the clubhouse is currently closed for deep cleaning.
The JSCA has a Notification and Deep Cleaning Plan in place should it become necessary here. Please stay vigilant and strictly adhere to the Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols.
*Registration information is taken for the potential purpose of Contact Tracing only. All information will be securely stored and destroyed after 30 days.
** Please ensure you have signed the 2020 liability waiver to activate your membership card. We are installing a member card access system at the front gate in the coming weeks. Your card will only work if fees have been paid and the liability waiver has been signed. Waivers can be signed at the following link: JSCA Waiver
Jericho Sailing Centre Schools
Jericho Sailing Centre partner schools will continue to operate through September. Each school is independently operated, please contact them directly for available programs.
Windsure Adventure Sports – for windsurfing, SUP and skimboarding
MacSailing – for dinghy sailing & canoeing
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre – for kayaking and surf ski
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre – End of Summer RENTAL FLEET SALE
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre is having an end of season rental fleet sale!
You can now enjoy a discounted rate on our used kayaks, SUP’s, surfski’s and paddles from our fleets at Jericho Beach Kayak, Deep Cove Kayak and Cates Park Paddling Centre.
The boats are on sale now, with more available on September 14th. Check out the list where you can browse and purchase any of the craft!
On a ‘normal’ year, we sell our used fleet boats quickly and can foresee the trend speeding up this season. If you’re after a great deal, we recommend checking the list out, and purchasing the boats early!
Our used fleet sale can be found here:
https://www.coastoutdoors.ca/used-equipment/
Jericho Sailing Centre – Craft & Equipment Storage Available
There are still some craft and equipment storage spaces available to members at the Jericho Sailing Centre.
Kayaks $158
Double Kayaks $191
SUPs & Windsurfers $158
Laser Racks $191
Tall Lockers $119
Small Lockers $63
Jericho Wavechaser: Thank you to volunteer race organizers & Jericho Rescue
Thank you to all of the volunteers involved in the 2020 Jericho Wavechaser series!!!
WOW! Women on Water Tuesday Evenings Through September @ Jericho
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre co-owner, Erian Baxter started the popular Women on Water program at the Deep Cove Kayak Centre 18 years ago for women of all paddling abilities to come together for a relaxed, semi guided, summer evening paddle. This summer the program comes to the Jericho Sailing Centre on Tuesday evenings from 1830H-2030H.
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre’s experienced volunteers lead the paddle and keep the group together.There are also special themed nights throughout the summer, such as Date Night, Mother Daughter Night and the ever-popular Dress Up Night, where everyone is encouraged to wear their finest dresses…as long as you don’t mind if they get a bit damp of course!
Most paddlers have some experience but newcomers are very welcome. For more info. & to register, paddle over to WOW!
Notice of AGM
Jericho Sailing Centre Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 1900H
The Jericho Sailing Centre Association’s 47th Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 1900H online (login and voting details to be announced). The 2019/2020 J.S.C.A. Board and Committees will report on their accomplishments this past year and the challenges for the future. Please plan to attend and participate in the future direction of your ocean community centre.
Call for Nominations Voting will take place to elect seven members for a two-year term and one member to a 1 year term, to our 15 member Board of Directors. The J.S.C.A. Board meets regularly to set policy and determine Jericho’s direction. Interested members who have time and expertise to offer are invited to submit a letter indicating their experience and areas of interest to the J.S.C.A. Nominations Committee c/o the Jericho office no later than 1700H, Tuesday, October 13. The nomination letter must include your name, address and telephone number. For additional information contact Mike Cotter, J.S.C.A. General Manager 224-4177 or email mike@jsca.bc.ca.
Physical Distancing Reminder
Out on Vancouver’s largest playground it’s easy to leave stress, worry and current concerns on shore. It’s as if the pandemic can’t reach you out there. These are escapism’s finest hours. Never have your salt water therapy sessions been more needed or deserved. As the Jericho Sailing Centre is getting very busy on these sunny summer days, we’ve noticed some people relaxing a little too much and letting their guard down on the land side. Physical distancing has, at times, been shrinking in the beach areas and within the Jericho Sailing Centre compound. Please remember we all need to be diligent and work together to put Covid-19 in our wake. Two metres (6’6″), as demonstrated in this photo by paddlers Lucy & Jenn, is further than you think. Please practice proper physical distancing at all times.
NO SWIMMING in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre
For the past 46 years this has been Vancouver’s only public beach designated for the launch of small, naturally powered craft: sailing dinghies, rowboats, windsurfers, canoes, kayaks, etc., and swimming is strictly prohibited.
Vancouver has some of the best swimming beaches of any city in the world, however, the stretch of Jericho Beach in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre is NOT one of them.
The danger for swimmers in this area is the extreme amount of small boat traffic including many craft skippered by beginners and novices. It’s all good fun until someone gets a Hobie in the head. Excellent, lifeguarded swim beaches are located to the west at Locarno Beach (with waters warmed by the sands of Spanish Bank) or to the east at the Jericho Beach swim area.
If you see someone swimming in this area please let them know (the area is well signed) or inform the JSCA office or a Jericho Rescue Team member.
Keep a Sharp Lookout for Swimmers Off Spanish Bank & Other Swim Areas
Operating a vessel close to shore around swimmers is both unsafe and illegal.
Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and Vancouver Open Water Swimming Association would like to remind all boaters to operate their vessels safely, in accordance with the law and the principles of safe boating practices. Irresponsible boating activity could endanger the boater, passengers, and other water way users. In warmer weather boaters should to always be on the lookout for swimmers.
The Collision Regulations set out rules for the safe navigation:
- Proceed at a safe speed and take proper and effective action to avoid collision; stop within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
- Maintain proper lookout – be aware of what is going on around you while on the water boating.
Watch out for other vessels and other waterway users including swimmers, and be ready to stop, slow down and yield.
UFO’s – Fishers on the Pier
In order to avoid unpleasant interactions with fishers we recommend that users of the Jericho Sailing Centre not pass between the Jericho Pier and “J” Buoy – the white striped orange can bouy positioned just out of (wind assisted) crab trap throwing range off the NE corner of the pier.
Although fishing is not permitted off of the east side of the pier, it does frequently happen and recently one of our members boats was hit by a crab trap.
Jericho Sailing Centre Affiliated Clubs
One of the best ways to enjoy recreational ocean access on Vancouver’s largest playground is to join a community based club at the Jericho Sailing Centre. These low cost, not for profit, volunteer driven organizations provide a wide variety of boat access and training programs for dinghy sailing, paddling, windsurfing, SUP and rowing programs as well as social opportunities. Clubs looking for new crew include:
ClubLocarno – http://www.clublocarno.com/
Companionway Sailing Club – http://www.companionwaysailing.ca/
Disabled Sailing Association – http://disabledsailingbc.org
Discovery Sailing Club – http://www.discoverysailing.org
Jericho Paddling Club- http://www.jerichooutrigger.com/
Salish Sea Coastal Rowing Club – http://www.salishsearowing.ca/
UBC Sailing Club – https://ubcsailing.org/
Viking Sailing Club – https://www.vikingsailingclub.bc.ca/
For more info. on all JSCA Affiliated Clubs surf over to https://jsca.bc.ca/clubs/
Galley Patio & Grill – Take Out Service Available @ Gate 1
The Galley thanks JSCA members for their support this summer, and for their compliance with our Covid-19 protocols. Please remember to check in with their Host Table, located at Gate 1, prior to heading up to the patio. The Galley is required by WorksafeBC to keep their own customer contact information records.
Please note that seating has had to be reduced, due to 2-metre distancing between tables. With this in mind, they’ve instituted a “4 people maximum” per table, as well as “1 hour maximum visit” per table.
Mon-Fri: 11:30am-9pm
Sat-Sun: 11am-9pm
Hours are weather-permitting. See you soon!!!
Facemasks
The last pandemic taught us that containing respiratory droplets in a facemask is a simple strategy to stop the spread of a deadly, highly contagious virus.
If we all keep our droplets to ourselves, wash our hands, keep physically distanced and frequently disinfect high touch areas; Covid-19 doesn’t stand a chance of spreading at the Jericho Sailing Centre. That’s our goal.
During the last 9 weeks of operation we have noticed that many Jericho users have come prepared with their own face masks. We encourage ALL Jericho users to bring their own facemask. The disposable masks we have been providing are PLASTIC and we should all be focusing on using less plastic. Please: be kind to each other; be kind to our environment.
DISPOSABLE FACEMASKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $2 AT THE FRONT GATE. PLEASE SAVE MONEY, SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT BY BRINGING YOUR OWN.
Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette
Common sense and consideration of fellow members and other users 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:
- No Alcohol is permitted within the Jericho Sailing Centre other than that served by the Jericho Galley Patio & Grill At no time is alcohol permitted outside of a licensed area.
- 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 or 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 dollys are for launching/retrieval only (not for storage) and must be returned to the fence immediately after use.
- 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 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 onshore 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.
Respect your community by strictly following the Jericho Sailing Centre Covid-19 Safety Protocols.
Safety on the Ocean 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 practise.
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 its 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
Always do a careful pre-launch safety check of your craft equipment and crew
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.