In the wind: August 14, 2024
2024 Rum Runner Regatta
This Weekend @ Jericho: Herding Cats
There once was a time when rum runners avoided Jericho Beach like the plague.
During prohibition in the United States, the flying boat crews of the Jericho Beach Air Station, the previous occupant of the Jericho Sailing Centre site, often assisted Canada Customs in their quest to inhibit the illicit flow of demon alcohol to our teetotaler dominated, thirsty southern neighbours.
This weekend F18 Cats will be sailing fast, as is their custom, in the Annual Rum Runner Regatta.
There will be a distance race on Saturday starting at 1230H.
The F18 fleet will roll into our regular Sunday Racing program at 1230H on Sunday.
For F18 Rum Runner Regatta Notice of Race smuggle your mouse over to: speakeasy Regular Sunday Racing as usual at 1230H on Rum Runner weekend!
August/September Events @ Jericho
Jericho Wavechaser Paddle Race Series
Thursdays August 15, 22 & 29 @ 1900H
Sunday Racing
Sunday August 25 & September 1 @ 1230H
Tuesday Night Racing
Tuesdays August 20 & 27, September 3 @ 1815H
Rum Runner Regatta
August 17 & 18
Tasar BC’s Regatta
September 7 & 8
End of Summer Regatta
September 14 & 15
Cascadia Beach Sprints
Rowing Event
September 14 & 15
UBC REC Day of the Longboat
September 21 & 22 (clinics)
September 28 & 29 (event)
Please remember to register for sail events at jracing.org.
Full 2024 JSCA Event Schedule & info: Jericho Events.
ClubLocarno Presents: Blues at the Beach
The days are getting shorter, the nights longer and the water is cooling off; it’s time to bring out the Blues.
Join us for an evening of music and dancing with the LJ Mounteney Blues project, with special guest Jerry Cook on sax. They will be performing in the Surf and Turf room at the Jericho Sailing Centre on Sunday, September 1, from 8:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m.
Venue doors open at 7:30 p.m., but the Galley Patio and Grill is steps away, will be open to the public all day, and offers the best outdoor dining venue in the city
** PLEASE NOTE ** Drinks and food will be available at the Galley and in the members’ lounge, but drinks cannot be taken inside the music room (Surf and Turf) during the performance. Feel free to come earlier and enjoy the patio. There will also be an intermission for another chance to wet your whistle!
Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door (cash only, please). Space is limited, and it’s going to be a party!
Hope to see you there!
Register: https://www.clublocarno.com/ Tickets will sell out fast, don’t be disappointed, get yours right away.
English Bay Safety Seminar
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Users of the Jericho Sailing Centre share Vancouver’s largest playground with Canada’s busiest port and are required to know and exercise the “rules of the road” while recreating in this area. Users should be aware of shipping lanes, ships transiting between the lanes and anchorages, and Traffic Control Zones. All non-commercial vessels shall stay well clear of commercial vessels including ships at anchor.
The English Bay Safety Seminar was developed for users of the Jericho Sailing Centre to help keep them safe while at play 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
For more Safe Boating information check out Transport Canada’s Safe Boating
SAFETY NOTICE: Wear Your PFD
CBC Vancouver visited the Jericho Sailing Centre earlier this month to talk to JSCA Safety and Events Manager Dominique Labrosse about water safety in light of new data regarding recreational boating drownings. Sea their report at this link: CBC Vancouver News – Drowning Report
Jericho School Partners
Jericho Sailing Centre’s school partners are registering future mariners now. Surf over to their websites for more information:
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre
Kayaking and Surf Ski lesson, rental and pass programs, JBK.
Kayak Summer Camp registration is now open.
Calling all mini-adventurers! Summer is right around the corner and our kayaks are geared up for a season of FUN, laughter, and watery wonders! Jericho Beach Kayak offers kayaking summer camps for kids 7-10 and 10-14 years old. There are half-day and full-day camp options available. If you love the ocean your kid probably does too. Give them the best camp of their summer and register them now: https://jerichobeachkayak.com/summer-camps/
Windsure Adventure Watersports
Windsurfing, SUP and skimboarding lesson, rental and pass programs https://www.windsure.com/
Registration now for summer camps at Windsure Adventure Watersports! There are full and half-day program options for paddleboarding, skimboarding and windsurfing activities for youth aged 7-15. You can view all available dates and times here.
MacSailing
Dinghy Sailing and Canoe lesson, rental, pass programs and youth camps.
https://macsailing.com/
SAFETY NOTICE: Wind Shuts Off Abruptly
During fair weather periods at this time of year the wind frequently shuts down abruptly within an hour of sunset. If you are on a wind powered craft this means you have just run out of gas. The general rule of thumb for sailors is: never sail further away from home port than you would care to paddle within that hour; and, always carry a paddle.
Vancouver Lifeguard Association Beach Alert Program!
The Vancouver Lifeguard Association is pleased to bring back the Beach Alert Program!
Lifesaving and First Aid training combined with Paddle Board and Kayak experience
Children 8-15 years old who can swim 50m will see their swimming and fitness improve combined with lifesaving and water safety training.
August 19th to 23rd, & August 26th to 30th
Jericho Sailing Centre
Costs $200.00, $35 optional rash guard
https://www.vancouverlifeguards.com/beach-alert
For details and registration please contact:
Programs@VancouverLifeguards.com
604-970-6860
We are always looking to add volunteers and instructors to our list. Instructors: Swim Instructor or LSI certifications. Volunteers: Ages 13+ eager to learn, enjoys the water, aspiring lifeguard, swim instructors. Contact info@vancouverlifeguards.com to express interest.
UBC Concrete Canoe Club – Yes, it Floats!
Concrete canoes, who’d-a-thunk-it? The JSCA has proudly supported the engineering students of the UBC Concrete Canoe Club for many years by allowing training from the Jericho Sailing Centre and free storage for their training craft. Longtime Club member, Colin Taylor, who is also a longtime MacSailing instructor provided the following report on their most recent event the Canadian National Concrete Canoe Competition: May 9-11th, in Quebec City:
“Our biggest event of the year is always CNCCC. It is a massive undertaking to get the canoe across the country, through competition, and back again. This year, we joined 19 Canadian University teams and paddled away with 8th place overall!
A major highlight of the competition was winning the Most Sustainable Design Award, along with podium finishes in Coed and Male Sprint races (2nd and 3rd respectively), and 5th in our technical proposal. CNCCC is such an amazing opportunity for our team to gain inspiration from the other amazing canoes produced by Canadian Schools, and Universite Laval hosted a wonderful competition.“
For more information on the UBC Concrete Canoe Club cast over to: Yes it floats!
NO SWIMMING AND/OR WADING 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, wing surfers, foiling sailcraft, etc.; swimming and/or wading is strictly prohibited.
Vancouver has some great swimming/wading beaches, however, the stretch of Jericho Beach in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre is NOT one of them.
The danger for swimmers/waders 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.
Dollies: 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.
The yellow JSCA dollies are for communal use and must be returned to the fence immediately after use. Do not store boats on our communal dollies for extended periods.
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. Winch ropes should never be left wrapped around the capstan and should be left in a neatly coiled pile.
WILDLIFE NOTICE: Don’t Feed the Rabbits
Feral rabbits populate the grassy areas around Jericho Beach. People often try to handle and feed them. These interactions pose serious health threats to the animals and the public.
Wildlife feeding is prohibited across all Vancouver parks and beaches, and can incur a fine of up to $500. Not only is feeding feral rabbits unhealthy for them, when they gather around feeding areas they also become more vulnerable to predators and can more easily spread disease. Food left out for rabbits attracts mice and rats which can lead to infestations and further opportunities for spreading diseases like Hantavirus. Rabbits carry pests and parasites such as ticks, which can transmit deadly diseases to humans and dogs such as Lyme Disease. Any incidents of wildlife feeding should be reported immediately by calling 311 or using the Van311 app. For more information on Vancouver’s wildlife and tips on peaceful coexistence, visit: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/wildlife.aspx
SAFETY NOTICE: RVYC Yacht Club Breakwater Construction
Dear Members and Guests of the Jericho Sailing Centre,
Please be advised that construction work is currently underway on the Breakwater at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Jericho Marina. We have noticed that some of your members, including children, have been paddling close to the barges.
For everyone’s safety, please keep clear of the barges and construction zone at all times.
Important Safety Information:
• Exercise Caution: Abide by all posted signage.
• Construction Zone: Do not enter the construction zone.
• Work Schedule: Construction work is conducted Monday to Friday.
There is no work on Saturdays or Sundays.
If you have any enquiries, please contact Marine Assets & Operations Manager, Chris Barnett, at chris.barnett@royalvan.com.
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety of all members and guests.
Sincerely, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Upcoming Low Water Levels (<4′) of concern
Date: Time: Height (ft):
August
15 0841H 3.8′
16 0938H 3.0′
17 1029H 2.3′
18 1116H 1.7′
19 1159H 1.6′
20 1240H 1.9′
21 1320H 2.8′
27 0643H 3.5′
28 0752H 3.6′
29 0859H 3.5′
30 0957H 3.5′
31 1045H 3.4′
September
1 1126H 3.6′
2 1202H 4.0′
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.
Jericho Club Partners
One of the best ways to enjoy recreational ocean access on Vancouver’s largest playground is to join one of the community based clubs based out of 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 Clubs @ Jericho
Galley Patio and Grill
Open 7 days a week
Weekdays 11am-10pm
Saturdays 10am-10pm
Sundays 10am-9pm
Wasp Warning!
Add wasp nests to your pre-launch boat check. Wasps are back, unseasonably early, and are building 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 your pre-launch check. Please notify the office if you encounter them.
Jericho Pier Repair Update
Recently the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation provided an update on the status of the Jericho Pier. In September 2023, The Board approved a like-for-like restoration of the Jericho Pier which was severely damaged by winter storms in 2021 and 2022 and has been closed since then.
Construction is targeted to commence in early 2025. The exact construction start date and construction sequencing are contingent upon the timing of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) permit issuance, fisheries least-risk construction windows, and market lead times for the specialized treated timber products used in the repair. Construction is expected to be complete in 2025, possibly by summer.
Jericho Compound Notes
Environment Stewardship VS Foam Blocks
Almost 20 years ago, as the West Nile Virus was migrating across Canada to BC, the JSCA amended our storage policy to remove tires from the Jericho Sailing Centre compound which people were using to store boats on. They were prime breeding grounds for mosquitos and we thought we’d found a pretty good solution replacing them with recycled foam blocks which were used to grow tree and shrub seedlings and for other landscaping purposes. Two decades later, we’re that much more environmentally evolved and see that these foam blocks break down and deteriorate into tiny foam pebbles which ultimately end up in the ocean for which we all share a great affinity. The JSCA has set a goal to remove all foam blocks, and portions thereof, from our compound this year.
We’re asking all JSCA craft owners to work together with our staff and volunteer crew to help us achieve this goal. Please provide an environmentally friendly solution that suits your craft (see examples below) and return your styrofoam block to the recycling area beside the east building entrance.
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.
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 & construction at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
17. Be aware of the low water hazard (<4′) wharf remnants between ramps #3 & #4.
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 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.