In the wind: September 3, 2025
Jericho Sailing Centre: Vancouver’s Best Staycation Location
BREAKING NEWS: Summer continues! First Day of Fall Sept. 22
This weekend @ Jericho: Tasar BC Championships
A summer fixture on the weekend after Labour Day, the Tasar BC Championships returns to the Jericho Sailing Centre this Saturday and Sunday.
Long established as Jericho’s most popular double-handed monohull fleet, the Tasar is a 4.52 m one-design sailing dinghy, designed in 1975 by Australian Frank Bethwaite for a crew weight of around 140 kg. Its 68 kg foam-core fibreglass hull features a fine bow and sharp chines for reduced drag, excellent planing, and stability. A rotating mast and fully battened mainsail enable upwind planing, while the wide beam and ergonomic cockpit make it fast, fun, and easy to sail.
Racing starts Saturday at 1300H and Sunday at 1200H. For more information and to register, roll tack over to: Tasar BC Championships
Jericho Sailing Centre — 50 Years of Photographs & Memories
For five decades, the Jericho Sailing Centre and the surrounding Salish Sea have been at the heart of countless unforgettable moments, captured in stunning photographs and memorable sea stories. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re inviting members and users—past and present—to share your favourite photos and stories in our online Jericho Sailing Centre 50th Anniversary Photographs & Memories Gallery.
Whether your memories are from the early days or just last weekend, they’re all part of Jericho’s abounding history—and we want to include them.
Each week throughout the summer, we’ll spotlight a featured photo submitted in the previous week in our “in the wind” newsletter.
To view the gallery: Photographs & Memories
To submit your own: My Jericho
This Week’s Photo Feature:
Tasar Class at Jericho
One of the highlights of my first year managing the Jericho Sailing Centre was the 1989 Tasar Worlds Regatta in July. Our local Tasar fleet members were very excited to be organizing and hosting this prestigious event. Fleet Treasurer, Diane Dronsfield approached me in February that year to see if JSCA could conduct some off-season practice racing to assist the “home team” in preparation for world class competition; and so, the Penguin Cup Spring Racing Series was born.
Tasar sailors attended from all over the world, most notably from world Tasar hotspots, US, Australia, UK and Japan. They were warmly welcomed and hosted by the Jericho Tasar Fleet who rolled out the red carpet including a semi-formal banquet at UBC MC’d by still current JSCA member Richard Spencer.
At the beginning of the Championships I had the pleasure of standing on the deck watching a practice race with boat designer Frank Bethwaite, a distinguished Australian gentleman who was only too glad to discuss the detailed design attributes of his creation with the rookie GM of the Jericho Sailing Centre; a facility he told me he very much admired.
During a turbulent first year, when it was clear not everybody wanted the new guy to succeed, the members of the Tasar Fleet gave me a first glimpse of the true welcoming, friendly character and community spirit of the Jericho Sailing Centre. I highly recommend joining their ranks to anyone interested in competitive double handed monohull racing with great apres racing social vibes.
Mike Cotter JSCA GM 1988-2025
In 2006 the World Tasar Class Association replaced the one-design’s dacron sails with Mylar. Mylar sails don’t stretch and loose their shape like dacron, are lighter and ultimately provide better power. It took a few years for the transition to complete so it wasn’t unusual to see dacron powered Tasars chasing the rest of the fleet as seen in this photo.
Pacific Lifesaving Club – Summer Showdown 2025
NEW SPECTATOR FRIENDLY EVENT This Saturday, September 6 0900H-Noon
Kayak & Paddleboard Competition
The Pacific Lifesaving Club Summer Showdown showcases lifesaving sport disciplines in surf ski, kayaking and prone paddleboarding, promoting collaboration within the local water craft community.
• Disciplines: Surf ski kayak; prone paddleboard.
• Course: Out-and-back loop in English Bay within the Jericho Sailing Centre can bouys starting and finishing on the beach between Ramp 4 and the rock groyne. Race marks positioned to reduce exposure to traffic areas.
• Field Size: Up to 50 athletes (heats as required).
• Racing 0900H-Noon. Come out and Watch, This will be an Exciting Spectator Event!
2025 Cascadia Beach Sprints Rowing
Looking back…
A racer capsizes after rounding the mark in last weekend’s Cascadia Beach Sprint Rowing Regatta, bringing to mind Dronsfield’s Axiom of Sailboat Racing: “There is nothing more pleasurable than seeing disaster strike the boat ahead of you.”
45 rowers representing 13 clubs competed in last weekend’s Cascadia Beach Sprints Rowing event off the Locarno Beach shore of the Jericho Sailing Centre. Results photos: Dominique Labrosse
Vancouver’s Ocean Community Centre Celebrates 50 Years!
Your Ship Has Come In!
If you’ve been waiting for your special order limited edition Jericho Sailing Centre 50th Anniversary T-shirt come to the JSCA office.
Limited Edition Jericho Sailing Centre 50th Anniversary T-shirts are back in stock now at the JSCA office while supplies last.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Jericho Sailing Centre Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 1900H
The Jericho Sailing Centre Association’s 52nd Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 1900H. The 2024/2025 JSCA Board and Committees will report on their accomplishments this past year and the challenges for the future. Please plan to attend and participate in the future direction of your ocean access community centre.
Call for Nominations
Voting will take place to elect eight members for a two-year term to our 15 member Board of Directors. The JSCA Board meets regularly to set policy and determine Jericho’s direction. Interested members who have time and expertise to offer are invited to submit a letter indicating their experience and areas of interest to the JSCA Nominations Committee c/o the Jericho office no later than 1700H, Tuesday, October 14. The nomination letter must include your name, address and telephone number. For additional information contact Maya Tatuch, JSCA Administrative Manager 604-224-4177 or email admin@jsca.bc.ca.
MacSailing
Sailing, canoeing, marine ecology and adventure camps where kids build confidence, learn about water safety, and explore. MacSailing Camps.
Jericho Beach Kayak
Give your kid the summer of a lifetime. There is no better way to spend the summer than to be at the beach and go kayaking. Jericho Beach Kayak Camps
Windsure
Introduce your kids to their new friends: the ocean, the wind and the sun…. Windsure Summer Camps
UBCREC Day of the Longboat
LATER IN SEPTEMBER….
UBCREC Day of the Longboat
- Clinic weekend September 20 & 21
- Event weekend September 27 & 28
Galley Patio and Grill
Great food and the best view of Vancouver in Vancouver
Now open 7 days a week:
Monday-Friday 1130H-2030H
Saturday 1100H-2030H
Sunday 1100H-2030H
weather depending
Jericho Sailing Centre: Vancouver’s Best Staycation Location
100% Canadian Fun, No Passport Required
Rethinking your U.S. vacation plans thanks to some “tariffying” news and expansionist views from the south? Skip the border stress and discover the best of Vancouver right here at home with staycation adventures launched from the Jericho Sailing Centre.
This spring and summer, climb aboard with our Club and School partners to try something new—or reconnect with the ocean in a whole new way:
- Try a new sport – Learn wing surfing, wind foiling, paddling, rowing or classic dinghy sailing.
- Get competitive – Join our learn-to-race programs and find your sea legs in weekly racing series.
- Just relax – Enjoy the salty breeze and unbeatable views on Vancouver’s largest playground.
We’re celebrating 50 years of providing ocean recreation, facilities, and community programs to the people of Vancouver—and there’s never been a better time to join our crew.
Stay local. Stay active. Stay Canadian.
Visit jsca.bc.ca to learn more and start planning your best summer ever—without crossing the border.
Sign up now for Jericho Sailing Centre affiliated Club and School Programs
For more information, surf Jericho Clubs & Schools.
Do you own your own boat or are Considering Buying? We have currently have plenty of ground and rack storage space available for small, naturally powered craft but expect to sell out by the summer. For more information surf Craft Storage or contact the JSCA Office (604) 224-4177.
SAFETY NOTICE: Wind Shuts Off Abruptly
During fair weather periods at this time of year the wind frequently shuts down abruptly within an hour of sunset. If you are on a wind powered craft this means you have just run out of gas. The general rule of thumb for sailors is: never sail further away from home port than you would care to paddle within that hour; and, always carry a paddle.
BAD Dollies!!! Please Be Considerate of Others
Do not leave your dolly on the beach where it blocks side access to ramps. Beach cats and others need this space kept clear. The yellow JSCA dollies are for communal use and must be returned to the fence immediately after use. Do not store boats on our communal dollies for extended periods.
NO SWIMMING AND/OR WADING in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre
The beach area immediately north of the Jericho Sailing Centre is Vancouver’s only public beach designated for the launch of small, naturally powered craft: sailing dinghies, SUPs, rowboats, windsurfers, canoes, kayaks, wing surfers, foiling sailcraft, etc.; swimming and/or wading is strictly prohibited.
Vancouver has some great swimming/wading beaches, however, the stretch of Jericho Beach in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre is NOT one of them.
The danger for swimmers/waders in this area is the extreme amount of small boat traffic including many craft skippered by beginners and novices. It’s all good fun until someone gets a Hobie in the head. Many years ago a woman standing waist deep in this area had her leg broken by an out of control boat. Excellent, lifeguarded swim beaches are located to the west at Locarno Beach (with waters warmed by the sands of Spanish Bank) or to the east at the Jericho Beach swim area.
If you see someone swimming in this area please let them know (the area is well signed) or inform the JSCA office or a Jericho Rescue Team member.
Wasp Warning!
Add wasp nests to your pre-launch boat check. Wasps are back, unseasonably early, and are building their nests amongst the boats stored at the Jericho Sailing Centre. A member once reported sailing out in the middle of English Bay wondering how all these wasps suddenly appeared out here, shortly before realizing they were coming from a nest inside his boat. Be alert for wasp activity while you are rigging and doing your pre-launch check. Please notify the office if you encounter them.
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.
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
SAFETY NOTICE – upcoming Low Water Levels (<4′) of concern
Upcoming Low Water Levels (<4′) of concern:
Date: Time: Ft.
Sept 4 3.7′ 09:54
Sept 5 3.4′ 10:39
Sept 6 3.3′ 11:20
Foiler Alert!
Foiling Craft at Jericho can draw more than 1m (3.3′) of water when they are not foiling and we recommend launching between Ramps 2 & 3.
Wharf remnants showing just below the surface at 0.0′ low tide on May 28 Photo: SeaOtter.
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.
For more water safety info., tread water over to: English Bay Safety