In the wind: September 11, 2024
End of Summer Regatta/BC Fireball Championships
The Jericho Sailing Centre’s busy 2024 regatta schedule has finally come down to this; the End of Summer Regatta, which is open to all Jericho sailing classes and doubles as the BC Fireball Championships. For more information sail over to: Notice of Race
Cascadia Coastal Championships, Beach Sprints Regatta
Rowing regatta this weekend (September 14) at Jericho
The ancient art of propelling water borne vessels forward whilst looking backward will be on full display this weekend as the Jericho Sailing Centre hosts the 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. 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.
For more information on the Cascadia Coastal Championships stroke over to Beach Sprints Regatta.
Looking back at the 2024 North American Tasar Championships
Twenty-seven Tasars competed last weekend at the North American Tasar Championships out of the Jericho Sailing Centre. The event was blessed with good breeze and well conducted by race officer Dominique Labrosse with solid support from the Jericho Rescue Team and race committee volunteers.
While not juggling flags, horns and radio instructions, Dominique also managed to take these photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ee2pUc4ZA3fsjNkj9
For a Seagull’s eye view of the regatta, check out the drone footage by Seaotter: Seagull View
September Events @ Jericho
End of Summer Regatta
September 14 & 15
Cascadia Beach Sprints Rowing Event
September 14
UBCREC 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
SAFETY NOTICE
Dwindling Daylight, Wind Shuts Off, Minimal Rescue Resources
As Autumn draws nearer, sunset is occurring earlier every day. 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. Anyone launching should be fully aware that each sailor, paddler/rower is responsible for their own safety and that of their crew.
English Bay Safety Seminar
Never Take Water Safety For Granted, Be Boaty McBoatSafe…
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 Guide
2024 World Outrigger Sprints Success!
Team Canada 70+ Icemen, which included Bob Stewart of the Jericho Paddling Club (no hat, 2nd from right) had great success at the recent 2024 World Outrigger Sprints in Hilo Hawaii capturing three gold medals in the 70+ age category for V6 (six person) outrigger sprints against very tough competition from Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and mainland USA.
Jericho School Partners
MacSailing
Dinghy Sailing and Canoe lesson, rental, pass programs and youth camps.
https://macsailing.com/
Jericho Beach Kayak Centre
Kayaking and Surf Ski lesson, rental and pass programs
https://jerichobeachkayak.com
Jericho Beach Kayak remains open through September (and even throughout the winter).
Rental Hours in September
- Weekends: 9am, last rental 5-7pm
- Weekdays: 11:30am, last rental 5-7pm
- Last day of daily rental operations: September 30
More info can be found here: https://jerichobeachkayak.com/kayak-rentals-vancouver/kayak-rental/
Tours & Lessons
JBK also continues to run daily tours (including their popular sunset tours) and a number of lessons throughout September and into October.
Details on tours can be found here: https://jerichobeachkayak.com/kayak-tours/
Details on lessons can be found here: https://jerichobeachkayak.com/kayak-lessons/
Winter Paddles
Throughout the winter JBK will offer weekly Winter Paddles every Saturday. More info can be found here: https://jerichobeachkayak.com/kayak-tours/winter-paddling/
Windsure Adventure Watersports
Windsurfing, SUP and skimboarding lesson, rental and pass programs
https://www.windsure.com/
Jericho Sailing Centre Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 1900H
The Jericho Sailing Centre Association’s 51st Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 1900H in the English Bay Room of the Jericho Sailing Centre and online. The 2023/2024 JSCA Board and Committees will report on their accomplishments this past year and the challenges for the future. Please plan to attend and participate in the future direction of your ocean access community centre.
Call for nominations
Voting will take place to elect seven members for a two-year term to our 15 member Board of Directors. The JSCA Board meets regularly to set policy and determine Jericho’s direction. Interested members who have time and expertise to offer are invited to submit a letter indicating their experience and areas of interest to the JSCA Nominations Committee c/o the Jericho office no later than 1700H, Tuesday, October 8. The nomination letter must include your name, address and telephone number. For additional information contact Mike Cotter, JSCA General Manager 604-224-4177 or email mike@jsca.bc.ca.
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
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
Monday-Friday: 1130am-8pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 11am-8pm
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.