In the wind: January 23, 2026
Rollin’ along…
Redouane is often down at the Centre practicing kayak rolls – even in winter! Here he is performing a roll using a short paddle on a cool January afternoon while the fog rolls in over Stanley Park.
PNW ORCA Race this Saturday
The Jericho Paddling Club is hosting the second race in the Pacific North West Outrigger Racing Canoe Association Winter Series. Racing for OC-1, OC-2, surfski, and SUP gets underway at 1030H on Saturday with a long course to the Q62 Bell Buoy and a short course to the near deep water dolphin off Spanish Bank.
Seaside Sauna Sessions Available at the Jericho Sailing Centre Through March
Seaside Sauna Sessions is a collaboration between Windsure Adventure Watersports, Tality Wellness Kitsilano (coming soon!) and The Finnish Sauna Co. This is a simple, outdoor sauna experience by the water. Expect wood-fired heat, ocean cold plunges, and shared sessions in a relaxed, nature-based setting. The pop-up is seasonal and will be running this weekend until the end of March. Find us right outside the Windsure Beach Hut!
Off-Season Virtual Racing is Back Tuesday Nights at Jericho
Are you interested in learning how to race? Do you want to perfect your strategy and tactics on the water? Do you want to race, but it’s too cold out there?
The UBC Sailing Club has the pleasure to introduce the Wegatta Regatta Workshop and Virtual Race Series! We meet in the Jericho Member’s Lounge every Tuesday night (1800H), go over sailing rules and strategy and then apply them during Virtual Regatta races. This virtual championship will run until the end of March.
This event is free and open to every Jericho member—no need to have any experience racing (or even sailing). The game can be played on a laptop or a phone—please create a Virtual Regatta Inshore account (https://www.virtualregatta.com/inshore-game/) before you join, and go through the tutorial. If you are planning to play on your phone, you’ll need to download the app. If you are interested or have some questions, you can directly join us for one of the sessions, or send a message to hello@ubcsailing.org.
Water temperatures are now below 8 degrees, are you ready for the cold weather?
Now that it is winter, air and water temperatures are below 8 degrees Celsius. The consequences of cold water immersion in these temperatures are more pronounced. If you enjoy 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.
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. Bids are being accepted until Feb 1, 2026. Parties interested in the competitive quoting process can reply to this email or contact us at info@jsca.bc.ca.
Batten Down the Hatches – Storm Season is Upon Us
Every off season, wild wind and rain tear through Jericho looking for loose tarps, covers, and gear. When they find one, it can turn a sleeping boat into a flying one – so make sure your craft is snug and secure! Members are responsible for their boats, and you could be on the hook if yours causes damage.
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!
Jericho Sailing Centre Partners
Jericho Beach Kayak
JBK remains available for private sessions and limited winter programmes. For bookings and more information, slap that paddle over to the Jericho Beach Kayak website.
MacSailing
Closed for the season. However registration for next season including youth camps is open now. Reach over to the MacSailing website for more information.
Windsure
Closed for the season. However registration for next season including youth camps is open now. Wing on over to Windsure’s website for more information. Windsure is also partnering with The Finnish Sauna and Tality Wellness Kitsilano to offer seaside sauna sessions from now until the end of March. More information here.
Galley Patio and Grill – Closed for the Season
The Galley is now closed for the season but has stayed busy making improvements in the off season. Stay tuned in late winter / early spring for news on when it will re-open.
Boaters’ Handbook: Your go-to guide for safe navigation within the Port of Vancouver
Navigating Vancouver’s busy harbour in recreational craft just is now 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.
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.
English Bay Safety Seminar
Never take water safety for granted
Jericho Sailing Centre users 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.
Why make your own mistakes when you can learn from the mistakes of others? The English Bay Safety Seminar was developed to help keep Jericho users 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.
Sail the Slideshow on our Website
For more Safe Boating information check out Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide
Traffic Control Zone 1 Around First Narrows is a Jericho Style Craft No-Go Zone.
Safety Notice to all non-motor power craft users in Vancouver
“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
Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette
Common courtesy goes a long way towards making sure that everyone’s experience at the Jericho Sailing Centre is a positive one. Remember swimming is prohibited from the beach between the pier and the rock groyne East of ramp 4, dollies need to be returned to their spots after launching, and high traffic areas such as hosing stations must be made available for other users immediately after use. Whether you are new to our facility or a life-long user, it is a good idea to review common etiquette here on our blog.
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.