In the wind: June 6, 2023

This weekend at Jericho

Jericho Catamaran Classic Regatta June 10-11

Whoever said “cats are afraid of water” never spent any time around sailing catamarans. This weekend cats from all over will pounce onto the kitty litter of Jericho Beach and the waves of English Bay beyond for 2 days of high performance sail racing in the Jericho Cat Classic Regatta.

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

Backwind – Jericho Classic Regatta

Last weekend’s Jericho Classic Regatta saw very little wind….on Saturday. Then, Sunday the wind was a solid 15-20 knots out of the west for the duration of racing. Jim Davie was onboard Jericho Rescue and took these photos and more in the linked C Otter Gallery.

Breezy Sunday Leftovers:

Seaotter Drone Clips: ILCA Gybe Mark Rounding Windsurfer we think could be Shan

Upcoming Events in June at the Jericho Sailing Centre

Photo: Jim Davie

Jericho Wavechaser June 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ 1900H
Jericho Cat Classic June 10 & 11
Rookie Racing Seminar June 17 @1900H
Sunday Racing June 18 & 25 @ 1230H
Tuesday Nite Racing June 13, 20, & 27 @ 1815H
Bailiff Auction June 24 @ 1200H
Jericho Sailing Centre “Course Made Good 2045” Strategic Plan

  • Survey Launch June 14
  • User Consultation Events June 24 1000-1400 & June 26 1800-2000H

Cheers for the Jericho Rescue Team!

Photo: Dominique Labrosse

All on water events hosted by the Jericho Sailing Centre are supported by volunteers of the 40 member Jericho Rescue Team a few of who were busy last Sunday on a breezy day that required 6 rescues. Seen here onboard Jericho Rescue Titan are L-R Ian Ross, Saul Schneider, Jim Davie (photographer and honourary team member) and Douw Steyn.

Celebrate Ocean Week with our friends at UBC Ocean Hub. For more information surf over to:
Ocean Week Jericho Beach Festival

English Bay Safety Seminar Online Anytime

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

JSCA Course Made Good 2045 DRAFT Strategic Plan

Coming June 14

The Jericho Sailing Centre Association’s Board of Directors is drafting 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 is being 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/

Learn to Row Lessons Available to the Public through ClubLocarno

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

June Hours of Operation (weather permitting):
Mondays through Sundays 1130H-2100H]

Upcoming Low Water Levels of concern:
Thu Jun 8 1533H 1.6′
Wed Jun14 0957H 3.6′
Fri Jun 9 1625H 2.9′

For complete tide information skim over to: Water Levels

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.

Please Be Considerate of Others

Do not leave your dolly on the beach where it blocks side access to ramps. Beach cats and others need this space kept clear.

Do not use Winches if you are Unfamiliar with their Safe Operation

Ask a JSCA staff member or Jericho Rescue Team member if you require familiarization. Ropes should never be left wrapped around the capstan and should be left in a neatly coiled pile.

JSCA 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning

Event Planners Wanted-First Committee Meeting Set

The Jericho Sailing Centre Association will be celebrating a half century of providing Vancouverites with low cost, naturally powered ocean recreation programs, facilities and services through the Jericho Sailing Centre in 2024. We’ve come a long way since the days of launching the “Purple Turtle” and other cleverly named craft down ramps of plywood sheets laid across the beach and we are planning to celebrate the countless ocean odysseys our users have enjoyed on our remarkable journey.

The first Zoom meeting of the JSCA 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee has been set for Monday, June 19 at 1900H. Reply to this email for more information and the meeting link.

Not one for committees? Don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for member volunteers to get involved with celebration events and activities. Stay tuned to our newsletter throughout the year for Celebration updates.

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.

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