In the wind: January 16, 2025
Happy New Year – JSCA is Celebrating 50 Years in 2025!
2025 is upon us and the days are growing longer as we count down the days to our busy season. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and healthy 2025. This year we will be celebrating 50 years of low-cost ocean access. We look forward to commemorating this milestone with our users and the greater community with some extra special fun. Stay tuned for more.
This newsletter’s feature photo taken by Erik Price features Steve and Charles in Jericho Rescue Hurricane keeping watch over this year’s Polar Bear Swim on January 1st at English Bay Beach.
Above is a photo taken on New Years Day in 1981 while members of the Jericho Windsurfing fleet decided to sail amongst the spectator boats during the Polar Bear Swim. If you have photos of past years we’d love to get copies so that we can share them with our community as we look back on our colourful history.
Jericho Sailing Centre 2025 Event Schedule
PNWORCA Winter Race Series #2
January 25 Hosted by Jericho Paddling Club
With both short and long courses available, this small boat race (SUP, surfski OC-1 & OC-2) attracts competitors from all around the region. Last year’s race had about 50 competitors. Registration for next week’s race is available at webscorer.com
Jericho Sailing Centre at the Vancouver International Boat Show – Volunteers Needed
Once again the 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 programmes and unique facility. Come visit us at booth #71 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 would like to volunteer please email us at events@jsca.bc.ca.
Saturday Feb 22 – Indoor Rowing Day in Canada, Coast to Coast 2025
False Creek Rowing Club is joining other clubs and indoor rowing enthusiasts across Canada in participating in the Indoor Rowing Day in Canada – Coast to Coast to Coast 2025. This exciting national event consists of getting on a rowing machine and together rowing the 5,514 kms from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Indoor Rowing Day is open to everyone, from Olympians to first-timers. The event is open to the entire community, members and non-members of FCRC or JSCA. Every kilometre counts! Just let organizers know at questions@falsecreekrowingclub.ca that you’re planning to join or join us on the day. There will be rowing machines ready for you at the north rooms on the second floor.
Visit the event information page on the False Creek Rowing club website for further details.
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
Cold Water Recreation Requires Proper Attire and Preparation
Winter conditions present a slate of considerations. Over the years, Jericho Rescue has rescued people in the initial stages of hypothermia at all times of year. In winter, this is a risk people should be mitigating with proper preparation.
Click through to our ‘blog to find out about how to best prepare for cold water recreation:
- Upgrade your attire
- Be smart about your activity patterns
- Have a plan to call for help should you need to
- Recreate with a friend so that you are not alone
- Learn how to increase your chance of survival should you find yourself in the water
Galley Patio and Grill
The Galley Patio and Grill 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.