In the wind: May 24, 2023

Paddle Battle This Weekend at Jericho – Jericho Iron Race

The Jericho Paddling Club hosts the annual Jericho Iron race this Saturday, May 27. 275 paddlers from here, there and everywhere will be competing in 6 person outrigger canoes over 8km and 16km courses starting and finishing just north of the Jericho Sailing Centre. If you are not in the race please keep clear of the starting area during the starts while the boats are all together (see photo). They’ll be well spread out and easier to avoid after 8-16kms when finishing. The starts are scheduled for 0900H (short course); 1030H (Women’s & Mixed Masters); and 1300H (Men’s and Mixed Open).

If you are on the water during racing sessions please be alert and courteous, giving way to the boats which are racing.

On Sunday May 28 there will be a practice race for 15-20 V1 paddlers only (rudderless solo outriggers) in advance of heading off to Samoa in August to race at the World Distance Champs.

For more information, drift over to: Jericho Paddling Club

Upcoming Events in May at Jericho Sailing Centre

Jericho Wavechaser May 25 @ 1900H
Jericho Paddling Club Iron Race OC 6 May 27 (small boats May 28)
Sunday Racing May 28 @ 1230H
Tuesday Nite Racing May 30 @ 1815H
English Bay Safety Seminar May 29 @ 1900H

Plunge for the Cure May 28 @ Kits Beach

Help Crush Ovarian Cancer

As part of our ongoing community outreach 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/

English Bay Safety Seminar

Online Anytime; In Person May 29 @ 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

Jericho Classic Regatta June 3 & 4

Two-day regatta for Jericho style sailing dinghies. There will be a social event on the Saturday evening after racing.

To find out more, tack over to: 2023 Jericho Classic Notice of Race

JSCA Course Made Good 2045 DRAFT Strategic Plan – Coming June 14

The Jericho Sailing Centre Association’s Board of Directors has drafted Course Made Good 2045, a twenty year strategic plan (2025-2045) outlining sustainable enhancements we propose for our facility, services, programs, and overall user experience. This DRAFT plan was developed with the interests of our members, partners, and community stakeholders in mind. As responsible stewards of this exceptional facility, we want to ensure we actively anticipate the growing demand, and prepare for the evolving needs, of Jericho Sailing Centre users. The DRAFT plan includes mitigation strategies to address climate change and sea level rise, so that we protect the building and compound that has provided Vancouverites nearly fifty years of affordable, accessible, naturally-powered, on-water recreation.

We will launch the Course Made Good 2045 DRAFT and the Jericho Sailing Centre User Survey through our website and newsletter on June 14. The User Survey will be available for your input and feedback through to July 31. Come learn more and share your opinions at our User Consultation Events in the Sailor’s Lounge June 24 1000H-1400H; and, June 26 1800H-2000H.

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/

Jericho Sailing Centre School Partners

Jericho Sailing Centre’s school partners will introduce thousands of people to ocean recreation over this spring and summer. Surf over to their websites for information:

Jericho Beach Kayak Centre
Kayaking and Surf Ski lesson, rental and pass programs
https://jerichobeachkayak.com/

Windsure Adventure Watersports
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-2100H

Foiler Alert! – Foiling Craft at Jericho can draw more than 1m of water when they are not foiling and we recommend launching between Ramps 2 & 3.

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 – Event Planners Wanted

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. Reply to this email for more information.

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).

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:
https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-park-board.aspx

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. PFD’s MUST be properly fitted.
  2. Sail powered craft have the right of way over power craft, paddle or row 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
  16. 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.