In the Wind. March 1, 2007

Ahoy JSCA Members:

Here is what’s “in the wind”, coming events and items of interest at the Jericho Sailing Centre, your ocean access community centre, for the week of March 1-7, 2007 and beyond:

March is in like a Lamb, going out like a Lion
March arrives at the Jericho Sailing Centre this year like a lotus land lamb sauntering down the beach in a wool sweater and sunglasses – cool, calm and sunny. As the rest of the old proverb goes, she’ll Spring out like a lion, plenty of gusto, propelling plastic boats-a-plenty over the briny windswept face of English Bay. Within the interval between “In” and “Out” the transition between Winter and Spring will be punctuated by budding blossoms and the annual migration of members, gradually coming out of hibernation, returning to the Jericho Sailing Centre.

We have scheduled volunteer workparties for every weekend in March to help get the Jericho Sailing Centre shipshape for the 2007 season. This weekend we’ll have a construction bin in to do our Annual Compound Spring Clean-up. We invite all members to clean up around their boats as well as in common areas of the centre-please do not import your junk from home! Other projects in March include storage rack building and repairs, boat moving and various painting projects. The Jericho Sailing Centre has always relied heavily on volunteerism to “trim the sails” and continually improve our world class ocean access facility for all to enjoy. We invite all members to volunteer even if it’s just to keep the area around your own craft neat and tidy.

Upcoming Volunteer Workparties-
Start times @ 1000H
March 10 & 11 Boat Rack Repairs/ Telephone Weather Station upgrade
March 17 & 18 Painting Projects/Rack Building
March 24 & 25 Albatross Painting & Launching

Earth Day Vancouver Celebration
March 1 at the Jericho Sailing Centre
The organizers of Earth Day Vancouver are inviting everyone to attend a Community Open House tonight, Thursday, March 1 from 1930-2130H. There will be a presentation by the Jericho Stewardship Group and information about Earth Day activities and opportunities to get involved. Earth Day is on Sunday, April 22. There are a number of Earth Day activities being planned for Saturday, April 21.

Earth Day Mixed Media Painting Event
An Earth Day activity already on the schedule for the Jericho Sailing Centre is a mixed media painting event hosted by avid Jericho paddler and artist, Jeanne Krabbendam, on Saturday, April 21. For more information stroke your way over to her website at www.jeannekrabbendam.

Capsized Craft in the Compound
There are still many craft in the compound which have teetered off of trailers or have been otherwise affected by winter windstorms. If you haven’t checked your craft in a while please do. To those members we’ve called who have still not come down to deal with their disheveled boats, you’re making your neighbours nervous, don’t delay, check your craft today.

Summer Employment Opportunities at the Jericho Sailing Centre
Are you interested in an exciting summer position serving Vancouver’s ocean loving community at our world class ocean access community centre? The JSCA has three full time summer positions commencing May 1: Receptionist/Secretary; Storage Officer II; and a Maintenance Officer; for a complete description of these positions work your way over to our website. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who are ocean oriented. Interested applicants can forward their resume and cover letter to me at mike@jsca.bc.ca.
The JSCA’s affiliated Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing and Ocean Kayaking schools are each looking for certified instructors and other enthusiastic sport oriented individuals to fill various positions. Applicants interested in the: Dinghy Sailing School can contact Dave Thomas at macsailing@telus.net; Windsurfing School can contact Bernard Labrosse at windsure@telus.net; Ocean Kayaking School can contact Chris Ladner at school@ecomarine.com . The Disabled Sailing Association of BC is also looking for certified sailing instructors for their fabulous program which provides people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the freedom and joy of sailing-interested applicants can contact Joanne Houser at jhouser@disabilityfoundation.org .
The critically acclaimed Jericho Galley Patio & Grill is looking for well “seasoned” summer staff to work in their operation. Contact Keith Macdonald at keith@thegalley.ca

Sea Stories and Photos Wanted
We are looking for members to contribute pictures and your favourite Jericho sea story or other items of interest for the Spring 2007 edition of the Centreboard. We know we have many creative members out there, share with us. Submission deadline has been extended to March 7, 2007.

Dolphins Extinct?
Last week the “Mile Markers”, familiar dolphin piling navigational landmarks on and beside Spanish Bank, were removed with seemingly no notice. The Mile Markers were originally installed one nautical mile apart to gauge the speed of ships entering the port. It has been many years since they have been needed for this purpose but they have been used extensively by Jericho’s outrigger teams, rowers and paddlers as race markers and training aids. Anyone sailing by, or walking at low tide, could get a close look at Cormorants and other seabirds that populated the various piling spars. Every time the Jericho Rescue Team nurtured a new engine beyond the break-in period standard
procedure was to open it up and check the speed using the “Mile Markers”. More importantly to all mariners “QY” the eastern most dolphin marked the abrupt edge of Spanish Bank. Upon further investigation I have discovered that the marine community was notified of the Canadian Coast Guard proposal to “discontinue” these navigational aids through a Notice to Shipping (NOTSHIP P-0225) early in 2006. A source has told me that although there was little to no reaction at the time-it certainly flew under our radar-there are now concerns being expressed from the marine community including within the Harbour Master’s office and Vancouver Vessel Traffic Services who clearly recognize that the subtraction of these navigation aids will add up to more vessels running aground on Spanish Bank. JSCA members have asked me where they can write to express their concerns. Your comments should be addressed to: Superintendent, Aids to Navigation Program, Canadian Coast Guard, 25 Huron Street, Victoria, BC V8V 4V9. We will continue to monitor this situation and report back to our members.

Fair winds,
Mike

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