In the wind: December 18, 2025

SEAsons’ Greetings from the Jericho Sailing Centre Crew

On a wintery day by the frost-silvered shore,

When the breeze traced its lines but would rise no more,

The wings were all folded, the foils tucked away,

And the outriggers rested in pale midday.

Out past the pier where light swells rolled on,

A small ILCA dinghy ghosted along.

A kayak slid softly with paddle strokes light,

Leaving calm on the water till daylight took flight.

So may winds find you fair and your waters stay clear,

With gentle waves rising to carry the year;

May each launch bring joy, every landing be sound,

And the new year come in with good trim all around.

On behalf of the JSCA board of directors, our volunteers and staff, we wish everyone a warm, joyful and safe holiday season.

JSCA Office Holiday Closure Dec 23 – Jan 1

The Jericho Sailing Centre office will be closed from December 23 through January 1. During this time, for security sake, when transiting through both the front gate and ocean gates, please ensure they are closed and locked immediately behind you.

General Contractor Wanted for Second Floor Universal Washroom Project

With all the necessary planning, design work, engineering reports and permits now in place, we are looking for a licensed general contractor to build an accessible single occupancy universal washroom on the second floor. Parties interested in the competitive quoting process can reply to this email or contact us at info@jsca.bc.ca. Note that the Jericho office will be closed from December 23 through January 1.

Mystery Machines

A surf ski was found on the ground in the East end of the compound after a storm with no identifying storage decal. Without a storage decal we have no way to contact the owner. Similarly, an unidentified inflatable SUP was recently found in the locker area under the deck along the North side of the building. Both craft have been relocated to the grassy area south of the plaza. If either of these look familiar or belong to you, please contact the Jericho office.

Batten Down the Hatches – Storm Season is Upon Us

It’s time to winterize your craft. Drains need to be unclogged, craft need to be secured, furled sails need to be de-rigged, kayaks and canoes should be stored upside down. When did you last check your boat?

Every off season, vicious wind and rain 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 hibernating boat into a flying projectile potentially damaging 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.

Give your boat a quick check before and after storms: clear hull and cockpit drains, take off loose gear, de-rig sails, and flip kayaks and canoes upside down, make sure water doesn’t pool and freeze causing damage. A few minutes now can save you – and your neighbours – a big headache later!

Water temperatures are now below 10 degrees, are you ready for the cold weather?

Jonathan has been known to surfski in the snow.

It is almost winter, air and water temperatures are now regularly below 10 degrees Celsius. If you intend on enjoying the water through the colder months, it is important to do it safely. Click on through to our cold water blog post for more information.

Jericho Sailing Centre School Partners

Jericho Beach Kayak 

JBK Will remain available for private sessions and winter programs. For bookings and more information, slap that paddle over to JBK

MacSailing 

Closed for the season. For more information pull your tiller to Mac

Windsure 

Closed for the season. For more information wing over to SURF

Galley Patio and Grill – Closed for the Season

The Galley is now closed for the season. Stay tuned in late winter / early spring for news on when it will re-open for next season.

Boaters’ Handbook: Your go-to guide for safe navigation within the Port of Vancouver

Navigating Vancouver’s busy harbour just got safer and easier thanks to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s new Boaters’ Handbook. The handbook is the ultimate reference—and a one-stop shop—for essential safety information, from how to operate within confined and restrictive waterways, to the radio channels to monitor and speed limits to follow throughout the port authority’s jurisdiction. Whether you’re boating or paddling in Burrard Inlet or the Fraser River, the Boaters’ handbook is your go-to to stay safe, informed, and enjoy your time on the water this summer.

Access the Boaters’ Handbook today on the port authority’s website. 

To receive the latest information on boating safety within the waters of the Port of Vancouver, including handbook updates, subscribe to the port authority’s newsletter, here.

FIRST NARROWS TRAFFIC CONTROL ZONE 1

Safety Notice to All Users of the Jericho Sailing Centre & any other non-motor power craft users in Vancouver

“Vessel-related restrictions

All pleasure craft and sailing vessels must be under mechanical power when transiting through the First Narrows traffic control zone. It is prohibited to enter or transit through the First Narrows traffic control zone on board a personal watercraft, including jet skis and non-motorized vessels, such as sailboats, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards.”

Boater’s Handbook the essentials of informed navigation within the Port of Vancouver.

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 50 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 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.

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.

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.