In the wind: November 22, 2024
Jericho Sailing Centre Association turns 50
Photo above: Late1960’s photo of the decommissioned DND Jericho Beach Air Station. Building 13 Marine and Stores, the future Jericho Sailing Centre is on the left.
Earlier this week the Jericho Sailing Centre Association, quietly reached the half century mark.
In the Autumn of 1974, while the buildings of Department of National Defence base Jericho Beach were being demolished to make way for Jericho Beach Park, a salty group of Vancouver dinghy sailing citizens approached City Council with the idea to save one of the vacated buildings on the foreshore to convert into a low cost ocean community centre to facilitate Vancouverites access to their largest playground. Council thought the idea could have some merit for this City named after a sailor, directing these citizens to form a non-profit organization with a constitution designed to serve all citizens and to then approach the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation for further consideration and possible implementation.
On November 18, 1974 the Jericho Sailing Centre Association was officially incorporated as a non-profit society dedicated to providing programs, facilities and services to the people of Vancouver in small, naturally powered watercraft. The JSCA approached the Park Board and after their consideration and deliberation, a user agreement was drafted to include user pay public access with no taxpayer funding. A tentative one year licence was issued, and the scheduled demolition of the building was “temporarily” put on hold. The Jericho Sailing Centre was officially launched in the spring of 1975.

Thankfully, we passed that early audition, and the JSCA welcomes all Vancouverites to join them throughout 2025 as we celebrate half a century of low cost, non-taxpayer funded access to our largest playground in small, naturally powered craft such as kayaks, canoes, outrigger canoes, rowboats, windsurfers, sailing dinghies, Stand Up Paddleboards, wing surfers and foiling craft.
Jericho Sailing Centre 2025 Event Schedule

Eighteen JSCA members attended the Annual Fleet Planning Meeting last week to help chart the course of events through 2025. All events will lend support to celebrating 50 years of the Jericho Sailing Centre. Some notable events include the 50th Anniversary Open House on May 24 and 50th Anniversary Celebration on July 12. For a complete list of events sail over to 2025 Events.
Batten Down the Hatches

Every “off season” vicious wind storms rip through the Jericho Sailing Centre compound looking for loose tarps, boat covers and poorly stowed gear. When they find a loose tarp they can turn a docile hibernating boat into a flying projectile which can cause damage to neighbouring craft. Members are responsible for ensuring they have “battened down the hatches” on their equipment stored at the Jericho Sailing Centre. If your boat causes damage to neighbouring craft you can be held liable. We encourage you to check your craft regularly year round (particularly before & after gnarly windstorms), remove any parts or equipment that can be easily removed (most thefts occur between Oct.-April) and make sure water doesn’t collect inside your hull (if it freezes and expands it can cause major damage).
Dress for the Occasion: November = Colder Weather, Water, Shorter Days

As time sails closer to the 2024 Winter Solstice, daylight is dwindling by a couple of minutes each day: tonight’s sunset is at 1622H. Please plan your ocean therapy sessions accordingly and dress appropriately for potential cold water immersion.
Jericho Sailing Centre office hours are also dwindling. The office is open 0930H-1630H daily. The office will start closing next week at 1600H. It will close next month between Christmas and New Years. For security sake, we ask all Fall and Winter users to keep gates locked when not actively passing through them.
The Fabulous False Creek Rowing Machine Program
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 beginning of November to the end of March.
We would like to invite all members of the JSC community to learn generally about rowing, and particularly how the ergometer can be an excellent fitness resource for all ages. Introductory sessions will be held every Wednesday of November, with two time slots: 6-7pm and 7-8pm. If you want to come and try, please register at least 48 hours in advance: https://forms.gle/XZNEyjWeJu32HswJ6
Coached erg sessions will be held every Tuesday and Thursday with two time slots: 6-7pm and 7-8pm. In addition, joining this program will give you 24/7 access to the rowing machines. For more information, please visit https://falsecreekrowingclub.ca/row-with-us/erging/. The program will cost $300 in coaching fees + $53.25 RCA and Rowing BC fees + $116 if you aren’t already a member of Jericho Sailing Centre Association.
If you have questions please contact us via email at questions@falsecreekrowingclub.ca
Galley Patio and Grill
The Galley Patio and Grill is closed for the season.
English Bay Safety Seminar

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
Jericho School & Club Partners
Surf over to our website www.jsca.bc.ca for our partner school & club information.
Current Jericho Pay Parking Passes Oct. 1 – Mar. 31
To renew an expiring pass or to sign up for a new pass send an email to: monthlyparking@easyparkcs.zendesk.ca and follow the steps below:

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
Windsure Hiring for 2025 Season

Windsure Adventure Watersports has opened applications to join our team for the 2025 Season. Available positions include:
- Assistant General Manager
- Beach Hut Staff
- Customer Experience & Marketing Coordinator
- Summer Camp Instructor
- Windsport Programs & Equipment Supervisor
- Paddleboarding Programs & Equipment Supervisor
- Windsport Instructor
- General Instructors (Windsurfing, Wingsurfing, Paddleboarding, Skimboarding)
Please visit us at https://www.windsure.com/jobopportunities for more information.

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.