In the wind October 26, 2023

Albatross Flies South for the Winter

Two signs that winter is fast approaching Vancouver: first snowfall on the North Shore Mountains; and, JSCA’s Albatross flocks south for her winter hibernation into the hangar of the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Albatross is a 29′ balsa core catamaran that was designed by renowned rowing shell designer Chris Maas and built with much assistance by Jericho volunteers in the hangar in 1977. She is the platform used by JSCA to conduct many events on English Bay between April & October. Over the next 5 months she will dry out in the hanger, be assessed by our Safety/Boat committee and receive her annual TLC refit maintenance with much assistance by Jericho volunteers. In April she will migrate back north to her mooring offshore of the Jericho Sailing Centre to facilitate another full season of on-water activity in 2024.

Pay Parking Update

Low Season Parking Pass now Available from EasyPark

Thanks to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation for having a second look at the request of Jericho Sailing Centre users and establishing a Low Season Parking Pass in Jericho Beach Park. The cost of the seasonal permit for Jericho is $150.00, and is valid from October 2023 – March 2024. Here are the details for purchasing a parking pass from EasyPark:

Please email mp@easypark.ca, and request a seasonal permit for Lot 69 Jericho.

You will also need to provide the following information:

•       First & Last Name

•       Vehicle License Plate Number

•       Vehicle Make and model

Easy Park will then email you a link to login and pay for your permit online. 

False Creek Rowing Comes to Jericho

Off Season Fitness Training @ Jericho Sailing Centre

The False Creek Rowing Club is delighted to begin hosting a rowing machine program as a partner of the JSCA from the very end of October to the end of March.

Coached erg sessions will be held every Monday and Thursday with two time slots: 6-7pm and 7-8pm. In addition, joining this program will give you 24/7 access to ergs. For more information scull your way over to https://falsecreekrowingclub.ca/row-with-us/erging/

The program will cost $216 in coaching fees + $46.25 RCA and Rowing BC fees + $110 if not already a member of Jericho Sailing Centre Association.

To sign up, please register with both FCRC here: Rowing Canada AND JSCA

If you have questions please contact us via email at questions@falsecreekrowingclub.ca…

P.S. If you want to see rowing in action, FCRC is hosting the Head Up The Creek on False Creek this coming Sunday, October 29th. Over 100 boats from clubs around BC will be racing from Science World to Vanier Park: the best places to watch are on the waterfront in front of the Olympic Village or from the Cambie Street Bridge. The first flight starts at 9:30 am and the second starts at 12 noon. We would like to thank the Jericho Rescue Team for helping us put on our regatta since 2011!

ClubLocarno Hosts: Beatles at the Beach

Do you want to know a secret? Rock and roll music is back at the Jericho Sailing Centre this Sunday October 29th, and we should be celebrating here, there and everywhere! Let it be a great evening, rain or shine. Get back to a performance by the Wahs and guests on acoustic instruments, and come together to twist and shout to classic Beatles tunes. I don’t want to spoil the party, but tickets will be available online only until the night before. Don’t let me down; please please me and help! make the event a success by buying your ticket to ride here. From me to you, this boy will be there, and I want you to take the long and winding road to Jericho and join me!

Receding Daylight

Don’t run out of sailboat fuel. Be aware of daylight hours and always carry a paddle.
Photo: Andrei Bredin

As time sails further away from the 2023 Summer Solstice evenings are becoming shorter by a couple of minutes each day: tonight’s sunset is at 1802H. During fair weather the wind frequently shuts off abruptly within an hour of sunset. A good rule of thumb if you are in a wind fueled craft is: never sail further from Jericho within that hour than you are prepared to paddle back.

Inactive Craft Must Vacate Jericho Before April 1, 2024

As of August 6th, there were still 28 inactive craft which are not eligible for storage renewal next year. The owners of these craft have all been served notice under JSCA’s storage policy that they face losing storage privileges due to inactivity.

Jericho Sailing Centre School Partners

Jericho Sailing Centre’s school partners introduce thousands of people to ocean recreation each year. Surf over to their websites for information:

Jericho Beach Kayak Centre
Kayaking and Surf Ski lesson, rental and pass programs.
JBK

Windsure Adventure Watersports
Windsurfing, Wing Surfing, Wing Foiling, SUP and skimboarding lesson, rental and pass programs.
Windsure

MacSailing
Dinghy Sailing and Canoe lesson, rental and pass programs
MacSailing

Galley Patio and Grill

Hours of Operation (weather permitting): Weekends only after October 1

English Bay Safety Seminar

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 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

Sail the Slideshow on our Website

There be Dragons here!: Find out where not to go in Vancouver Harbour

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 and rowing 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 300M 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

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 flake 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.