In the wind: August 1, 2023
Oar You Ready For This?
Rowing Goes Coastal at Jericho this Weekend
The ancient art of propelling water borne vessels forward whilst looking backward will be on full display this weekend as the Jericho Sailing Centre proudly hosts the first, and hopefully annual, Cascadia Coastal Championships Beach Sprints. Coastal rowing shells are distinguished from their flatwater cousins by their beefier hulls, higher gunnels and wider stern which result in a wave friendly, surfable vessel appropriate for open ocean areas with challenging sea surface conditions. Highly skilled competitive coastal rowing crews will be brandishing their oars in fury as they battle for the title of Cascadia Champions Saturday from 0830H-1230H. Two boat heats will Le Mans start off Locarno Beach immediately west of the Jericho Pier and will slalom race around parallel 3 mark courses out, then back to the beach. The courses are short, the action will be exciting and very spectator friendly; come down and watch.
To get an idea of what it will look like check out this link: Coastal Beach Sprints.
For more information on the Cascadia Coastal Championships stroke over to Cascadia Beach Sprints.
Come Try Event – Friday August 4 0830-1230H
Interested in giving coastal rowing a FREE try? Register here, then bring your Jericho Sea Legs to the Cascadia Come Try Event on Friday, August 4 from 0830-1230H. On-line registration is recommended but walk ups are welcome.
Jericho Sailing Centre Coastal Rowing Club Partners
Salish Sea Coastal Rowing Club
Parks Canada Whale Outreach Friday @ Jericho
Southern Resident Killer Whale Outreach August 4
The Southern Resident Killer Whales are moving into the Jericho Sailing Centre August 4; or at least their Parks Canada Outreach crew is. Do you know how many Southern Resident Killer Whales are left? Or how scientists tell them apart? How can YOU help this endangered species?
Parks Canada can answer these questions and more at the Jericho Sailing Centre on Friday August 4th between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. Come say hi to a member of the Southern Resident Killer Whale Team to learn more about orcas and safe boating around whales. Expect family-friendly activities, fun prizes, and calls to action!
Thank You Jericho Rescue Team!
Jericho Rescue Team volunteers were busy providing safety support this past weekend for the Celebration of Light fireworks in English Bay Saturday night as well as Sunday’s Vancouver SUP Challenge and Sunday Racing. Many thanks to our crew members Erik Price, Derek Page, Shaun Xing, Nigel Ball, Paul Dylla, William NcNeel-Caird, Anton Pitts, Ryan Sawyer, Sean Gibson, and Florian Krauthan for supporting these events.
Looking Backward
Log Ball World Championship/Vancouver SUP Challenge
The Log Ball World Champion was crowned at Locarno Beach on Sunday as part of the Vancouver SUP Challenge. Jericho member Joey Skinder felled a splintered forest of waterlogged competitors to take the title. There was also an exciting paddling competition… Thanks to Ravi Raina (raviraina.ca) for providing us with this logball photo. Ravi took photos of the entire event which included 51 competitors (SUP’s and prone paddleboards) on the startline for 5km and 2km courses. A full photo gallery and results will be posted within the next few days at https://www.supchallenge.ca/ We’ll include some of Ravi’s racing photos in next week’s newsletter, in the meantime, here’s a couple taken from my phone…
Low Tide Beach Clean-up
The 4″ spike shown in the photo was turned in to the Jericho office at today’s 0.5′ low tide. It could possibly be a remnant of one of the old pier or wharf sections built here in the 1940’s. Please watch your step on the beaches in this area, particularly at extreme low water levels and if you see something like this pick it up.
Wasp Warning!
Add wasp nests to your pre-launch boat check. Every summer about this time wasps build their nests amongst the boats stored at the Jericho Sailing Centre. A member once reported sailing out in the middle of English Bay wondering how all these wasps suddenly appeared out here, shortly before realizing they were coming from a nest inside his boat. Be alert for wasp activity while you are rigging and doing a pre-launch check.
Windsurfing Youth Development Program
The Windsurfing Youth Development program is a special 5-day program tailored to youth aged 13-24 who want to be immersed in the sport of windsurfing. Participants endeavour to grow and improve their skills so that they can pursue windfoiling for fun or competitively. An extra bonus, full program scholarships are available. Remaining program dates are: July 31-August 4, August 21-25 and August 28-Sept 1.
Find more information and register here:
https://www.windsure.com/windsurfing-youth-development-program
MacSailing’s Marine Eco Camp looks at the environment from Spanish Banks to Kits Beach. It helps kids understand the history of the area and the geography and evolution of the foreshore. The program is interactive and includes classroom sessions, beach activities and on-water exercises close to shore. Each week will include a nature walk, collecting and classifying shells, visit to the lifeguard station, shoreline cleanup, water sampling, weather forecasting and a guest speaker.
Participants will learn about conservation and sustainability while taking part in activities designed and taught by University students with a background in Environmental Studies, Biology and Oceanography. We love the ocean and our local environment, the goal of this program is to instill that passion while offering fun and engaging activities and adventures.
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 at the Jericho Sailing Centre
Jericho Wavechaser August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 @ 1900H
Sunday Racing August 6, 13, 20 & 27 @ 1230H
Tuesday Nite Racing August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ 1815H
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.
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 Slideshow
Not long after the creation of the first boat, thought to be about 900,000 years ago, came the first notion of water safety. Experience can be a stern master and as human beings evolved at the helm they learned valuable lessons, often in the hardest of ways. Every capsize and grounding, every ship wreck and sea disaster, brought more knowledge that, when shared, ensured boating could be a safer and more enjoyable experience.
There are many contributing factors which can lead up to incidents and accidents on the water. Through 9000 centuries of experience most of them are known and easily preventable. Every year the Jericho Rescue Team provides assistance to over 200 mariners on the waters in the vicinity of the Jericho Sailing Centre. Often when people are in distress on the water they were simply missing one or two important nuggets of water safety information that could have helped prevent their predicament.
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 tens of thousands of “sea disasters” over the past 49+ 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 viewing the English Bay Safety Seminar slideshow.
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 1000H-2200H
Sundays 1000H-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:
Tuesday August 1, 1216H, 0.3′
Wednesday August 2, 1303H, 0.4′
Thursday August 3, 1346H, 1′
Friday August 4, 1428H, 2.1′
Saturday August 5, 1510H, 3.8′
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.
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.