In the wind: September 17, 2025
UBCREC Day of the Longboat – Clinic Weekend
UBCREC’s Day of the Longboat is the largest event at the Jericho Sailing Centre each year. At 3900 paddlers, last year’s event had more participants than all of Jericho’s other on-water special events combined. The event is held over two weekends: the Clinic Weekend, which takes place this year on September 20 & 21, gives each 10 person crew a 15 minute dry-land safety session combined with 45 minutes of on the water to practice in a Longboat; and, the Race Weekend. The Day of the Longboat Race Weekend, September 27 & 28 this year, involves ~390 crews in heats of up to 8 boats doing a Le Mans start off the beach and racing around a 2 kilometre course. The majority of the crews are from UBC and other post secondary schools, with some high schools and community teams. The youthfully exuberant and fun spirit of the race weekend is very contagious; it is an excellent spectator event.
The Day of the Longboat is very well organized and conducted by UBCREC staff and volunteers. The Jericho Rescue Team provides on water safety support. In 2024 Jericho Rescue assisted 170 paddlers off the water over the four day event. For many participants this is their first paddling experience ever. Over the years I have met many JSCA members who’ve told me that Day of the Longboat was their first visit to the Jericho Sailing Centre for ocean recreation.
Mike Cotter Sails into Retirement Monday September 29
Flotilla Monday September 29 at 1800H – web form for well wishes, photos and stories
As our General Manager for the past 37 years, Mike Cotter has deftly navigated the Jericho Sailing Centre through seas both stormy and calm. His impact on our facility and association is immeasurable. Throughout his time at the helm, Mike has demonstrated unwavering dedication to enabling recreational ocean access.
What better way to send him sailing off into retirement after his last day on site as General Manager than on the water with a flotilla? We are looking to surround Mike (on Albatross) with members of our community in Jericho style craft for a photo with our facility in the background. If you are reading this, you are invited to launch a Jericho style vessel and be ready around Albatross for a group photo on Monday September 29 at 1800H sharp. If you do not have access to a personal or club vessel, there will be limited rental opportunities: with MacSailing (info@macsailing.com), Windsure Adventure Watersports (info@windsure.com) and Jericho Beach Kayak has provided a link where you can choose a rental fee amount that will be donated to the JSCA rescue fund. Jericho Beach Kayak Flotilla Rental Link
We also encourage you to share any memorable photos or vignettes about Mike, or simply send him your well wishes using this form on our website. These stories will help paint a fuller picture of the many lives Mike has touched—and may be included in upcoming celebrations and keepsakes.
SAFETY NOTICE: Dwindling Daylight, Wind Shuts Off, Minimal Rescue Resources
As time drifts away toward the Autumn equinox, sunset is occurring earlier every day. 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 your legally required paddle. Anyone launching should be fully aware that each sailor, paddler/rower is responsible for their own safety and that of their crew. Jericho Rescue resources are minimal at this time of year. Canadian Coast Guard is standing by on *16 on your cell. (if you ran out of wind and don’t have a paddle they won’t be too happy and could fine you.)
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.
Jericho Sailing Centre School Partners
Jericho Beach Kayak Open daily until September 28. Will remain available for private sessions and winter programs. For bookings and more information, slap that paddle over to JBK
MacSailing Open daily until September 28. For more information pull your tiller to Mac
Windsure Open daily until September 21. For more information wing over to SURF
Coming Events at Jericho Sailing Centre
UBCREC Day of the Longboat
- Clinic weekend September 20 & 21
- Event weekend September 27 & 28
Mike Cotter Retirement Flotilla
Monday September 29 @ 1800H
Penguin Cup Fall Racing Series
Sundays October 5, 12, 19 & 26 @ 1230H
Volunteer Appreciation & Racing Awards Dinner
Sunday October 26 @ 1700H
Galley Patio and Grill
Great food and the best view of Vancouver in Vancouver
Now open 6 days a week:
Tuesday-Friday 1130H-2030H
Saturday 1100H-2030H
Sunday 1100H-2030H
weather depending
Mondays closed
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
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.
For more water safety info., tread water over to: English Bay Safety