In the Wind: February 21, 2025
Buy Canadian-Renew your JSCA Membership Today!
The Jericho Sailing Centre uses only 100% Canadian ingredients: the golden sands of Jericho Beach, generous portions of the Salish Sea, fresh Pacific breeze, a breathtaking backdrop of the North Shore Mountains, to help you craft your ocean recreation sessions to be as pleasurable as possible; unencumbered by tariffs, glorious and free. Whether you’re sailing, paddling, windsurfing, rowing, winging or foiling, your perfect Canadian escape starts here.
2025/2026 Jericho Sailing Centre Association Membership & Storage Invoices have been sent via email earlier this week and are due on April 1st . If you haven’t received yours, please contact us at admin@jsca.bc.ca after checking your spam folder.
We accept the following payment methods:
• Interac e-Transfer to accounts@jsca.bc.ca (include invoice # in notes)
• Online payments using the review and pay button in your original invoice email
• In person at the JSCA office
• Mail us a cheque
• By credit card over the phone at 604.224.4177
Not Planning to Renew? If you have craft and/or locker storage at the Jericho Sailing Centre and are not planning to continue with us after March 31 this year, please notify us as soon as you can so that we can plan to accommodate members on our waiting list.
Indoor Rowing Day in Canada – Coast to Coast 2025
This Saturday @ Jericho Sailing Centre:
False Creek Rowing Club, in partnership with the Jericho Sailing Centre Association, is joining other clubs and indoor rowing enthusiasts across Canada in participating in the Indoor Rowing Day in Canada – Coast to Coast 2025. This exciting national event consists of getting on a rowing machine and 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 not members of False Creek Rowing Club. Every kilometre counts! Just let the organizers know that you’re planning to join or join us on the day. From 9am till 12pm there will be rowing machines ready for you at the north rooms on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre. Visit https://falsecreekrowingclub.ca/events/indoor-rowing-day-in-canada-2025/ for further details.
A pile driving barge works on the Jericho Pier on February 20. Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation staff say the repair project is on track and the pier is expected to be complete by May 31, 2025.
Vancouver Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show
Come see us at the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show running Saturday March 1 and Sunday March 2 1000H-1800H at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
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/paddle/row/wing/foil over to 2025 Events
Women & Gender Diversity in Sailing
If you are a woman who sails, a non-binary sailor, or a gender diverse sailor in any way, JSCA’s newly created Women & Gender Diversity in Sailing working group would like to welcome you to our upcoming social.
Tuesday March 4, 5-7 pm, at Batch (770 Pacific Blvd). It is a heated patio and dogs are welcome. This will be an opportunity to connect with members of the Jericho community, learn more about future events and, if you are interested, get involved with the group.”
2025 Canadian ILCA Pacific Coast Masters Championship Regatta
Relish the Vibe!
Based on requests from competitors who sailed Canadian ILCA Masters Championship regattas at Jericho in 2022 and 2024 Jericho is again hosting an ILCA Masters regatta, this year the Pacific Coast Championships. As in 2024 in order to attract out of town competitors we are working to offer charter boats and accommodation to interested sailors. We hope the whole of the JSCA community can be part of and support the event by:
- If you have a racing condition ILCA or Laser and are too young to participate or won’t be able to join in, please consider chartering your boat. Contact Greg Speakman, gregspeakman@gmail.com
- If you would be able to provide a place for a guest to stay for 3 nights in early July, please contact Andrew Burton through WhatsApp at 403 370 7856.
Also, we are encouraging local sailors who have not before raced is large ILCA events to participate in the ‘PCCs’. All competitors will need to be members of ILCA North America, the class association responsible for the overall promotion, growth and management of ILCA racing in North America. See ilcanasailing.org. It is a great organization, and has a super informative web site.
If you live in BC, are 30 years old or older, will be sailing the PCCs, and will be a first-time member of ILCA NA please contact one of the regatta organizers for more information on support available to reduce the cost of joining ILCA NA.
Bob Ennenberg bennenberg@gmail.com
Tony Martin 2tony.martin@gmail.com
Greg Speakman gregspeakman@gmail.com
Vancouver Boat Show
Thank you to the 60+ JSCA members who volunteered to promote the Jericho Sailing Centre at the Vancouver Boat Show earlier this month.
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
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).
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/
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
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.