In the wind: July 27, 2022
Defeat the heat – Jericho Sailing Centre IS the Coolest Place in Vancouver
MacSailing’s volunteer crew test sail Jericho’s Misting Station on the hottest day so far this summer. Temperatures are forecast to exceed the seasonal average through the BC Day long weekend. Temperatures on the seashore will be cooler; on the water, cooler still.
Summer Schools in Session
Mac Sailing, Windsure and Jericho Beach Kayak youth camps are in full session; book early, don’t miss the boat!
Windsure offers stand-up paddling, skimboarding and windsurfing lessons and rentals.
Mac Sailing offers sailing and canoeing lessons and rentals.
Jericho Beach Kayak offers kayak and surfski lessons and rentals. They also host Friday evening Jericho social paddles and Tuesday evening Women on Water (WOW) paddle sessions.
Open Water Rowing Lessons available to the public through ClubLocarno
Tonight & Saturday
Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks
The Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition continues tonight and Saturday night over English Bay. If fireworks turn you on, “Celebration” is a perfect accent to a Vancouver mid-summer night eves right in the sweet spot of summer. The fireworks are best viewed from English Bay Beach. Kits Beach offers a next best view with Jericho accommodating the cheap seats – distant view but easier parking and disembarking when the show ends. Seating at the Jericho Patio and Grill is tough to find after 2030H. The rooftop deck will be open to members & their accompanying guests (60 maximum) with security in place to enforce no alcohol or smoking/vaping. The remaining show dates are July 27 & 30; Start time 2200H.
For more information on the Celebration of Light fire up their website at: http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/
SAFETY NOTICE: Fireworks = Extreme Marine Hazard
One of the most dangerous situations for operators of small water craft in Vancouver occurs at the conclusion of each Celebration of Light fireworks show. Hundreds of powerboats are hastily heading for home in all different directions and the sea surface is filled with crossing boat chop on waves. Lights from boats and downtown reflect everywhere and a kayak, canoe, rowboat or other small vessel is almost impossible to see, even if the power vessel Skipper hasn’t been drinking, and in some cases, he has.The Jericho Sailing Centre Association advises our members and other small, naturally powered craft users to not put themselves in this vulnerable position. If you choose to be out there, please ensure you are displaying the proper navigational lights and remember that the Coast Guard and other safety boats will have their hands full and may not even be able to locate your craft within the boating frenzy if you need them. Also remember, that you the Skipper, as always, are solely responsible for your safety and that of your crew.
BC Day Weekend – “Be Sea” Day @ Jericho Sailing Centre
There is something distinctive about life here on the left coast of Canada, in this province of British Columbia, that easily inspires people to follow their noses down along the Pacific salt scented beach paths, to mess around in boats on the liquidy, saline source of all life- it is our very essence.
It’s not something that started in this generation or the last, or even in the time since British Columbia first boarded the good ship Canada in 1871. As long as people have lived near these sand swept, rock reinforced Salish Sea shorelines they have felt an intimate connection with the sea and nowhere is this more apparent today than at the Jericho Sailing Centre.
From the comparatively landlocked hub bubs of Toronto, Montreal and other Canadian population centers it’s hard for non-Pacific inhabitants of our country to imagine we BC left “Coasters” without sandals, surf shorts, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun tanned skin and hair blowing in the breeze, well bent on a good time at the beach. (Perhaps the leading catalyst for Easterners who jump ship west). On BC Day the beach is where many of us will simply “be”.
If the weather fits the long range forecast for our provincial holiday (and for the real Jericho junkies even if it doesn’t), the waves of English Bay will be streaked with the wakes of a thousand tiny ship trips launched from Jericho Beach out of Vancouver’s low cost ocean community centre. The kayak, rowboat, sailing dinghy, windsurfer, stand-up paddleboard, skim board, or other naturally powered craft you command could be among that holiday weekend flotilla.
This weekend make plans to exercise your “Be Sea” essence. Live it up to the beat of the provincial motto “Splendor without Diminishment“, throw on your surf shorts and sandals, slap on some sunscreen and your shades, turn your back to the east with a great big smile and come celebrate BC Day at the Jericho Sailing Centre.
SOS: Future of Jericho Pier Unclear!
“Renewing the Jericho Pier is not identified as a priority project in the proposed 2023-2026 capital plan.”
from the June 27, 2022 Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation meeting report on the 2023-2026 Capital Plan.
We are still waiting to hear back from the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation about plans for reopening the Jericho Pier which was severely damaged in the January 7, 2022 storm. We’ll keep readers updated in future newsletters.
In the meantime, please send your comments to the Park Board. PB.Comments@Vancouver.ca
Regular Sunday and Tuesday Nite Racing
All members and registered guests are welcome to join Jericho Sailing Centre’s weekly sail race programs. Please remember to register at jracing.org.
- Sunday Racing starts at 1230H on non-regatta Sundays through Sept. 4.
- Tuesday Nite Racing starts at 1815H every Tuesday through Aug. 30.
Smugmug’s Sea Otter Photo Gallery
Local photographer, Jim Davie, has been developing his sea legs on board our Jericho Rescue boats catching action on waves in the waters off the Jericho Sailing Centre. Check out his gallery of awesome photos taken over the past few weeks: https://jimdavie.smugmug.com/C-Otter/
Join a Jericho Sailing Centre Club
One of the best ways to enjoy recreational ocean access on Vancouver’s largest playground is to join a community based club based out of 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/ClubLocarno rowing lessons are open to the public. Windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and rowing lessons are open to their members.
UBC Sailing Club – https://ubcsailing.org/
Viking Sailing Club – http://www.vikingsailingclub.bc.ca/join-our-club/
Jericho Paddling Club – http://www.jerichooutrigger.com/membership.html
Discovery Sailing Club – http://discoverysailing.org/
Companionway Sailing Club – http://www.companionwaysailing.ca/
Salish Sea Coastal Rowing Club – http://www.salishsearowing.ca/page-18087
Sea Dragon Sea Scouts – https://www.facebook.com/seadragonseascouts/
For more information on all JSCA affiliated clubs surf over to https://jsca.bc.ca/clubs/
Jericho Wavechaser Paddle Race Series Thursdays @ 1900H
Paddle racing every Thursday evening to the end of August open to all level of paddlers in outrigger, SUP, surfski, prone, and kayak. Courses vary depending on conditions. Each race night has a short and a long course. Check-in starts at 6 pm, race starts at 7 pm.
Race fees are $5 for Jericho Sailing Centre members and $10 for non-members.
English Bay Safety Seminar August 8 @ 19:00
The English Bay Safety Seminar was developed for users of the Jericho Sailing Centre to help keep them safe at play while on the waters of English Bay. The seminar covers basic water safety fundamentals along with user specific information drawn from the logs of the Jericho Rescue Team who have intervened in thousands of “sea disasters” over the past 45+ years.Why make your own mistakes when you can learn from the mistakes of others? Don’t challenge Darwin’s theory, make sure your water safety knowledge is the fittest it can be. Your survival may well depend upon it. Find the missing links and fill in the gaps in your water safety knowledge by attending a FREE English Bay Safety Seminar.
RSVP by email to book your spot info@jsca.bc.ca
Slideshow Available on our Website
| There be Dragons here!: Find out where not to go in Vancouver Harbour |
A Message From Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety
Operating a Human Powered Craft
Launch Dolly Etiquette
Yellow launch dollies are for Jericho Sailing Centre community use-please be considerate of others by not leaving them on the beach. They must be returned to the inside of the fence immediately after launching. They are for launching and retrieval only-please do not leave your boat on them. Private dollies should not block access between the ramps and the beach or the beach pathway.
A Reminder to All Users
The Jericho Sailing Centre is a Non-motor Powered Recreational Facility – No Recreational Motors Permitted, including electrics. Strictly enforced.
THE GALLEY HAPPY HOUR!
New from The Galley
THE GALLEY HAPPY HOUR! Available from weekdays 3:30-5
Spicy curly fries $8
Bruschetta 2 pieces-Vine ripened tomato, topped with parmesan-Olive tapenade, topped with feta crema $10
Prawns diablo 3 pan seared tiger prawns, with grilled bread$10
Craft beer flight 4 glasses, each 5oz
NO SWIMMING in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre
The beach area immediately north of the Jericho Sailing Centre is Vancouver’s only public beach designated for the launch of small, naturally powered craft: sailing dinghies, SUPs, rowboats, windsurfers, canoes, kayaks, etc., and swimming is strictly prohibited.
Vancouver has some great swimming beaches, 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. Many years ago a woman standing waist deep in this area had her leg broken by an out of control boat. 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.
Keeping Our Compound and Our Environment Clean
JULY IS TATTERED TARP MONTH – WE ARE CONTACTING OWNERS OF SHREDDED TARPS TO REQUIRE THEIR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL
Part of our newly revised storage policy is dedicated to making sure we are doing what we can to keep our compound and the environment as free from pollution as possible. One major source is the disintegration of tarps which end up sending small shreds of plastic around the compound and likely blown into the ocean by the breeze. Please note the new Environmental Stewardship clause of our revised storage policy:
Environmental Stewardship Policy
a.) All craft and covering materials must be kept in good condition. Any craft, covers or other materials causing pollution due to fraying, disintegrating, flaking etc. must be removed/repaired/replaced at first sign of deterioration.
b.) Members are required to ensure that any cleaners/water soluble solutions used in the compound are non-toxic, 100% biodegradable and not harmful for marine life, water quality and local wildlife.
c.) Any chemicals used for boat repairs including but not limited to: fiberglassing resins and hardeners, Sikaflex, fiberglass, toluene, acetone, paints, varnish etc. are to be removed from J.S.C.A property and disposed of in the appropriate manner off-site.
d.) Any repairs done on craft at J.S.C.A must be done in a way that captures all waste materials during the process.
Jericho Sailing CentreCurrent Covid-19 Safety Protocols
Covid Hasn’t Left Us – If you are feeling sick please stay home!
The Jericho Sailing Centre Association is committed to fighting the spread of Covid-19.
Don’t Feed the Rabbits
Vancouver Park Board Notice
Feral rabbits populate the grassy areas around Jericho Beach. Drawn by their fluffy tails, twitching noses, and relative tameness, people often try to handle and feed them. But these interactions poise serious health threats to both the animals and public, and have negative knock on effects to the environment.
Invasive species
Jericho Beach’s feral rabbit population is an invasive species colony, originating from domestic pets that have either been purposefully released into the wild, or escaped.
Invasive species can out-compete native species for food and space, damage ecosystems, disrupt food sources, and introduce parasites and disease. They are the second greatest threat to biodiversity following habitat loss.
Don’t release
Bunnies are sadly often abandoned in parkland. Not only does this contribute to the negative impacts of feral rabbits in the park but it leaves domestic animals frightened, malnourished and vulnerable to a huge range of harmful consequences including traffic accidents, predators, and disease.
Don’t touch
Touching or trying to pick up wild animals is distressing for them, and can put people at risk of being bitten or scratched. More seriously, rabbits carry pests and parasites such as ticks, which can transmit deadly diseases to humans and dogs such as Lyme Disease.
Don’t feed
Wildlife feeding is prohibited across all Vancouver parks and beaches, and can incur a fine of up to $500. Not only is feeding feral rabbits unhealthy for them, when they gather around feeding areas, they become more vulnerable to predators and spreading disease. Food left out for rabbits attracts mice and rats which can lead to infestations and further opportunities for spreading diseases like Hantavirus.
Give wildlife space
The best thing you can do for any wild animal is give it space, and observe from afar. If you have a dog, keep it under control, on leash, and away from wildlife.
As education and signage rolls out to remind the public how to peacefully co-exist, the we’ll continue to work closely with wildlife experts, the BC SPCA and the Invasive Species Council of BC, on long-term research and monitoring of rabbit populations and their impact on Vancouver park ecosystems.
Coexisting and protecting Vancouver’s wildlife relies on all of us doing our part to ensure both animals and people can enjoy our greenspaces without negatively interacting with one another.
On the Water-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.
For more water safety info., tread water over to: English Bay Safety Seminar.
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 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.
Pay Parking in Effect
Pay Parking is in effect in Jericho Beach Park from April 1 through September 30.Season parking passes are available through EasyPark for $105.
To apply for a parking pass:
Go to https://easypark.t2hosted.ca/Account/Portal
- Scroll down to Permits and click Get Permits, Log in or Create Account
- Login to your guest account or create one.
- Select Lot 69 Jericho Beach