In the wind: July 5, 2023
Charlie flies his Moth into the hazy July 4 setting sun. Photo: Dominique Labrosse
Slalom Saturday
This Weekend @ Jericho Sailing Centre
An opportunity for racers to try Sail GP style reaching starts and legs instead of just upwind and downwind legs. We are running a couple of test events this summer to sample interest going forward. This style of racing may be more suited to high performance and foiling craft but is open to all Jericho style sail craft.
Skipper’s meeting 1230H
First signal is at 1330H
Standard Jericho Sailing Instructions apply with the addition of these two courses:
Course 5_2023 Course 6_slalom_2023
Freya Stroke Clinics @ Jericho July 8
Paddling legend Freya Hoffmeister is halfway on her third continent expedition, an incredible challenge that is expected to take 8-10 years. The journey covers a distance of approximately 50,000 km/30,000 miles, surpassing the difficulty of her previous continental trips combined.
Having achieved record-circumnavigations around South America, Australia, New Zealand South, Iceland, and Ireland, Freya Hoffmeister is recognized as the world’s most experienced expedition paddlers. Her remarkable accomplishments have earned her prestigious awards, including the “World-Paddle Award,” National Geographic’s “Adventurer of the Year,” and the “European Adventurer of the Year” Award.
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre welcomes Freya Hoffmeister to the Jericho Sailing Centre on Saturday, July 8 for clinics at 1000H and 1330H. For more information and to register stroke forward to Freya Stroke Clinics.
Freya Speaks @ Coast Outdoors July 7
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear about Freya’s extraordinary journey and be inspired by her unrivaled passion and resilience. Find out more at Freya Speaks.
JSCA Course Made Good 2045 DRAFT Strategic Plan and Jericho Sailing Centre User Survey
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 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.
The Course Made Good 2045 DRAFT (we’ll continue to call it a DRAFT until we receive all input) is available for your review at CMG 2045.
We need your feedback! The Jericho Sailing Centre CMG 2045 User Survey will be available for your input and feedback through to July 31 at this link JSC User Survey or the QR code.
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/
Youth Summer Camps Underway Sign Up today
Upcoming Events in July at the Jericho Sailing Centre:
Jericho Wavechaser July 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 1900H
Slalom Saturday July 8 @ 1330H
Rookie Racing July 8
English Bay Safety Seminar
Sunday Racing July 9, 23, 30 @ 1300H
Tuesday Nite Racing July 11, 18, 25 @ 1815H
Andy Hunt Celebrational Regatta July 15 & 16
Vancouver SUP Challenge July 30
Jericho Sailing Centre “Course Made Good 2045” Strategic Plan
- Jericho Sailing Centre User Survey Now through July 31
Draw prizes for Sunday/Tuesday Sail Racing
North Sails, Mustang Survival and the Galley have all donated prizes in support of this year’s sail racing programmes. To make it interesting for everyone, we are keeping these as draw prizes. At the end of each month, prize winners will be drawn at random from the list of all registered sailors in the Tuesday and Sunday racing programmes. You have to be registered to win, so be sure register at jracing.org! Also after every Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening, we play a game of chance up on the member’s section of the deck to give away a free burger from the Galley.
Alternate Scoring Systems for Sail Racing
A Programmes sub-committee has been evaluating how we score sail racing series at JSCA. Earlier in the year a survey was sent out to ask our racing community what was important to them when scoring a series. After discussion and consideration of the survey results, and some work by jracing.org author Richard Spencer, three candidate systems have been modeled for your feedback. To better understand how these systems work, they can be applied retroactively to existing race data using the menu at jracing.org. We are encouraging racers to play around with these different models and let us know their impressions. The feedback will directly inform the committee’s recommendations at the annual fleet planning meeting in November to take effect for the 2024 racing season. Feel free to give your feedback by email or in person to Nigel Ball our Programmes Committee chair or Dominique Labrosse our safety and Events Manager.
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.
English Bay Safety Seminar
In Person July 10 @ 1900H RSVP Jericho Office – 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
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.
Galley Patio and Grill
Hours of Operation (weather permitting):
Mondays through Saturdays 1100H-2200H
Sundays 1100H-2100H
The newest addition to The Galley’s cool treats menu: Soft Serve Ice Cream!
Available in chocolate, vanilla, or a “twist”. Add sprinkles on top for no additional charge!
Upcoming Low Water Levels of concern this week:
Thursday July 6, 1429H 0.9′
Friday July 7, 1515H 2.1′
Saturday July 8, 1601H 3.8′
Wednesday July 12, 0842H 3.9′
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.
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Pieces of the DND wharf remnants can be seen beyond the shore break in this picture to the left and right of freestylin’ Peter on his windsurfer. This photo was taken at the 0.1′ low on July 4. The visible sections are part of a creosoted wood beam wall pile driven into the mud bottom. They are about 30′ running parallel north to south and covered in nasty barnacles. Peter says he has hit them several times over the years at higher water levels (under 4′) when they are less apparent.
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.
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
- 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.