In the wind: May 3, 2023
The first Tuesday Nite Racing session of the year was blessed with great breeze.
Jericho Sailing Centre OPEN HOUSE THIS Saturday May 6 Noon-1600H
The annual Jericho Sailing Centre OPEN HOUSE is this Saturday, May 6 from Noon-1600H. Bring your landlubber friends, co-workers, neighbours and relatives down to the Centre on that day to check out all of the ocean access opportunities available to them. Our schools, clubs and fleets will be on hand with sign-up information and displays, the Jericho Rescue Team will be doing rescue demonstrations, there will be plenty of activity on the water and guests will receive member discounts on purchases in the Galley Patio & Grill.
Jericho Sailing Centre – SOS – Season Opening Sailpast Saturday May 6 1330H
The first sail past launched from Jericho Beach may have taken place almost three thousand years ago when original inhabitants of this area set their canoes into the Salish Sea and left their village behind to discover, hunt, trade and/or pillage. The next sail past from Jericho Beach will be on Saturday, May 6, 2023. All JSCA members are invited to join in as we carry on this longstanding tradition. Sail, paddle, windsurf, row, SUP – whatever you like to do here, come out and do it on Saturday, May 12 at 1300H.
Jericho OPEN HOUSE Demo Day
Coast Outdoors is holding a Surfski, OC and Kayak Demo Day at Jericho Beach Kayak. We will have a range of sea kayaks from P&H, surfskis from Epic and Think, and outrigger canoes from Allwave.
Advance registration is required.
Please note that no instruction is provided. This event is for paddlers comfortable with Kayaks, OCs or Surfskis who are interested in purchasing their own.
Dates:
May 6 from 12-4pm during the Jericho Boat Show.
June 24 from 10am-2pm
Registration link: https://www.coastoutdoors.ca/service/demo-days
Traffic Advisory
Roads to Jericho Park Closed This Sunday May 6 0915-1215H
Jericho Park will be closed to vehicle traffic, with limited access via Belmont Avenue between 0900H-1215H on Sunday, May 7 for the annual Vancouver Marathon. Many other city streets that Jericho Sailing Centre users use to drive to Jericho Park will also be closed for a portion of that day. For a complete list of road closures and times, jog over to: http://bmovanmarathon.ca/detours
The start time for Sunday Racing will be delayed until 1300H to allow participants extra time to make first start.
Jericho Club Partner Sign-up Season
One of the best ways to enjoy recreational ocean access on Vancouver’s largest playground is to join one of the community based clubs located 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.
For more info. on all JSCA Affiliated Clubs surf over to https://jsca.bc.ca/clubs/
Come meet our clubs at the Jericho Boat Show Open House this Saturday Noon-1600H
Jericho Sailing Centre School Partners
Jericho Sailing Centre’s school partners are in various stages of preparation for the launch of spring and summer programs. Surf over to their websites for information:
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre
Kayaking and Surf Ski lesson, rental and pass programs
https://jerichobeachkayak.com/
Windsure
Windsurfing, SUP and skimboarding lesson, rental and pass programs
https://www.windsure.com/
MacSailing
Dinghy Sailing and Canoe lesson, rental and pass programs
https://macsailing.com/
Galley Patio and Grill
May Hours of Operation (weather permitting):
Mondays through Sundays 1130H-2000H
Our Galley guests can enjoy member discounts at the Jericho Boat Show Open House Saturday, May 6 Noon-1600H
Who has seen the Wind? Jericho Weather Station Temporarily Offline
The Jericho Weather Station will remain offline until the Jericho Sailing Centre roof replacement is complete and we can re-install the anemometer mast. The project is somewhat weather dependent and could take another 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, the Jericho webcam along with the windsock and provincial flag within its view are all functioning normally.
JSCA Prepares to Celebrate 50 Years in 2024
The Jericho Sailing Centre has evolved significantly since our primordial pre-ramp period when the Purple Turtle oozed out of the sea and crossed the sandy expanse of beach over sheets of plywood which were often required to be hastily retrieved by members as they floated away on rising tides. The Jericho Sailing Centre Association board of Directors is in the initial stages of forming a 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee and is inviting members who are interested in volunteering to contact us via reply email. A committee meeting will be set in the coming weeks.
Jericho Sailing Centre Not Included in Park Board Alcohol Sites
Recently the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation approved amendments to the Parks Control By-law regarding Liquor Consumption in parks and beaches to designate selected park sites as places where liquor may be consumed. (see full report) Neither the Jericho Sailing Centre or the adjacent beach space between the pier and the rock groyne to the east are included as areas where alcohol can be legally consumed in public.
While alcohol can be legally enjoyed within the licensed premises of The Galley Patio and Grill it should be limited to after boating activity. Per the Centre for Disease Control: alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation (such as boating and swimming).
Plunge for the Cure May 28 @ Kits Beach
Help Crush Ovarian Cancer
The Jericho Sailing Centre Association will be supporting the first annual Plunge for the Cure event on Sunday May 28 by providing Jericho Rescue boat support to the swim. To find out more about this fundraising event to help crush ovarian cancer and to register, plunge over to https://www.plungeforthecure.com/
Pay Parking @ Jericho Now in Effect Year Round – Seasonal Passes Available
Pay parking at Jericho Beach Park will be permanent, year round. Seasonal passes are available from EasyPark via their email: monthlyparking@easyparkcs.zendesk.com, with the subject ”Jericho Seasonal Pass Lot 69”; in the email body include: your full name, phone number, licence plate, make and model of the vehicle.
All net parking revenues go to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation to allow them to fund park amenities, such as the Jericho Pier. Anyone wishing to comment on pay parking rates in City parks can write to Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners at the following link:
JSCA 2023 May Event Schedule
The full 2023 JSCA event schedule can be viewed at the following link:
Tuesday Night Racing
gets under way May 2; every Tuesday at 1815H, register @ jracing.org
Sunday Racing
every non-regatta Sunday May 7 – September 3, register @ jracing.org
Jericho Wavechaser Paddle Race Series
Thursdays 1900H Commencing May 4
Welcome to another season of the Jericho Wavechaser paddle race! First race is Thursday May 4th, check-in starts at 18:00 on the beach and the race starts at 19:00 and finishes at about 20:00. The registration link is at the bottom.
If you thought it’s only for super active athletes with their own gear, think again. This is a fun community event that anyone can join in. Don’t have a kayak? Rent one from Jericho Beach Kayak! Want to do it on a SUP? Rent one from Windsure at the beach!
There is a long and short course so if you are new to the water or racing, do the short course. The Jericho Rescue team will be out on the water during the race keeping an eye on you, and if you have any difficulty they will be there to help you back to shore.
After the race (it’s a fun race so no prize for first place other than personal glory) we have draw prizes upstairs in the Galley restaurant. Everyone who races or volunteers gets their name in the draw bucket.
Questions?
Register here:
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=309873
English Bay Safety Seminar – Online Anytime; In Person May 28 @ 1900H RSVP
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 48+ 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
Sail the Slideshow on our Website
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
- Always wear your P.F.D. on the water. PFD’s MUST be properly fitted.
- Sail powered craft have the right of way over power craft, paddle or row powered craft.
- All non-commercial vessels shall keep well clear of commercial vessels.
- It is illegal and extremely dangerous to pass between a tug and it’s tow.
- A port tack sailing vessel shall keep clear of a starboard tack vessel.
- A windward vessel shall keep clear of a leeward vessel.
- A vessel clear astern shall keep clear of a vessel ahead.
- Any vessel overtaking another shall keep clear.
- A vessel tacking or gybing shall keep clear of a vessel on a tack.
- The area south of the orange can buoys is for training or transiting only.
- Swimming or wading on the beach in front of the Centre is prohibited and is particularly dangerous for small children.
- It is unsafe to loiter or let children play near the bottom of launching ramps.
- Stay well clear of the end of the Jericho Pier as fishers cast lines as far as possible
- Be cautious of pathway traffic when launching/retrieving
- Do not leave your craft on the shoreline for extended periods of time
- Stay at least 50M clear of ships at anchor in Vancouver Harbour.
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.