In the wind: December 11, 2024
SEAson’s Greetings from the Jericho Sailing Centre Crew
As we approach the Winter Solstice the shortest days of the year are upon us. Today’s sunset is at 1614H. Please plan your ocean therapy sessions accordingly and dress appropriately for potential cold water immersion.
The Jericho Sailing Centre office will be closed from December 23 through January 1. For security sake, please ensure that all gates are closed and locked when not actively passing through them.
On behalf of the JSCA Board of Directors, our volunteers and staff we wish everyone a merry and safe holiday season.
Foiling Craft Rescue Training Day
The Jericho Rescue team welcomed Canadian Coast Guard crew members from the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base to join in a foiling craft rescue training day on November 17. The session was facilitated by representatives and members of the local foiling community. Many thanks to We Can Foil who were instrumental in the success of the day by providing extra craft and coaches.
Foiling craft are becoming more and more popular on Vancouver’s largest playground and present their own distinctive challenges to rescuers including large carbon fibre foils that are faired to a knife’s edge.
Jericho Sailing Centre 2025 Event Schedule
All 2025 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
Coming in January:
PNWORCA Winter Race Series #2 January 25 Hosted by Jericho Paddling Club
Vancouver Boat Show Jan 29-Feb 2 BC Place Stadium: Volunteers Wanted
Jericho Sailing Centre will be participating at the Vancouver International Boat Show Jan 29 – Feb 2. This is a great way to engage with attendees and introduce them to our programs and unique facility. Come visit our booth on the concourse level. Even better, volunteer to help us at the booth for a 2 hour shift and then enjoy the show for the rest of the day. If you are a current JSCA member and would like to volunteer please email us at events@jsca.bc.ca.
King Tide Season – Jericho Flood Barriers Now in Place
King Tide season is here with high tides ranging between 15.8’ and 16.4′ in the periods December 15 – 18, December 31–January 7, and January 12–18. A King Tide on it’s own will overwash the deck remnants of the Jericho Pier and the majority of the beach in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre. An accompanying storm surge can raise the level more than two feet and bring the ocean well into our compound as it did on January 7, 2022 (see photo). All Jericho Sailing Centre building openings now have flood barriers in place. The doors are usable but not wheelchair accessible while barriers are in place. If needed, we’ll send a call for volunteers via this newsletter in the aftermath of a King Tide/Storm Surge event.
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 October–April) and make sure water doesn’t collect inside your hull (if it freezes and expands it can cause major damage).
Canadian Forces returned to the former site of DND Base Jericho Beach on November 24 as the Seaforth Highlanders conducted their annual Assault Pioneer Boating training.
Jericho Beach Kayak Winter Paddling Programs
Winter Paddles (every Saturday)
Join us every Saturday from 10am-12pm for a guided group paddle right from Jericho Beach. Whether you are new to kayaking or an experienced paddler who wants the company of others we will ensure it will be a great experience. Registration is required
https://jerichobeachkayak.com/tours/winter-paddling/
Online Trip Planning Course
Take advantage of those long winter nights and get ready to plan (and dream) about next year’s paddling trips!
Our Online Trip Planning Series runs over 4 evenings and we will cover everything you need to know to successfully plan your next paddling trip!
https://jerichobeachkayak.com/lessons/online-trip-planning/
VHF Radio Course
One of the most useful tools that can be potentially lifesaving while being on the water in any craft is a VHF radio.
In this course that runs over two 3-hour sessions we will learn all about how to properly use VHF radios. After completing the course and passing the written and oral test you will receive your ROC(M) license which is required to legally operate a VHF radio.
https://jerichobeachkayak.com/kayak-lessons/vhf-radio-course/
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.
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 is closed for the season, reopening in February 2025.
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
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.