Jericho Sailing Centre "in the wind" November 2, 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 November 2-8, 2007 and beyond:

Jericho Winter Kayaking Group
There will be an initial organizational meeting for a JSCA winter kayaking group this coming Tuesday, November 6 at 1900H in the Sailor's Lounge. All interested members are invited to attend to help launch this group. A dozen paddlers replied to last week's invitation of interested members- their email addresses will be included in the group's list and anyone who replies to this email can also be included. Don't paddle alone this winter, the buddy system is one of the best safety precautions you can take to enjoy Vancouver's ocean playground year round. We'll report on results from the meeting in next week's "in the wind".

Compound Water
We are keeping a wary eye on lower seasonal temperatures and will soon be winterizing our compound water system. This involves opening all the low point valves, flushing all the water from the pipes and keeping the water off until temperatures rise again in the Spring. Our compound water system was put in about 30 years ago with volunteers doing the majority of trenching and pipe placement. Due to the abundance of concrete left over from Jericho's military base days it was not possible to bury the system deep enough to operate it year round without risking serious damage from freezing. The only water station available for use during the winter is at the SE corner of the building.

Albatross Flies South for the Winter
With our 2007 racing season in the bag it is time for the annual migration of JSCA's committee boat, the Albatross, from it's mooring in the water just north of the Centre to it's winter roost in the hanger. The Albatross is a 30' balsa core catamaran that was commissioned by the JSCA in 1978. As a platform for managing on water racing programs it the best committee boat in English Bay. Every winter she undergoes an annual refit which starts with a couple of months of "drying out" in the hanger- a room she was designed to fit in. Our Safety Committee and Jericho Rescue Team members will assess deficiencies and develop a maintenance plan to prepare her for her "flight" back north in March in preparation for the 2008 JSCA event schedule. The annual pullout of the Albatross will be this Saturday, November 3 at Noon and can be viewed from our webcams at www.jsca.bc.ca . We will be putting a call out for volunteers to assist with painting and other refit work party projects in the New Year.

Batten Down the Hatches
Every "off season" vicious wind 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 docile hibernating boat into a flying projectile which can cause damage to neighbouring craft. Members are responsible for ensuring they have "battened down the hatches" on their equipment stored at the Jericho Sailing Centre and checking their craft after gnarly windstorms. We encourage you to check your craft regularly year round, remove any parts or equipment that can be easily removed (most thefts occur between Oct.-April) and make sure water doesn't collect inside your hull (if it freezes and expands it can cause major damage).

Upcoming JSCA Meetings:
JSCA Board November 13 @ 1900H

JSCA Office Hours
November Hours 0930H-1630H Weekdays. 0900H-1700H Weekends. Gates open at 0700H and are locked at Dusk. (approx. 1650H after this weekend's time switch).

On the Water, Your Safety is Your Responsibility
A reminder to members who play on the bay at this time of year-place an extra emphasis on boat safety for yourself and your crew. Jericho Rescue and other boaters are notably scarce at this time of the year so you must take extra care to ensure a safe on water session. It starts with a check of the weather forecast and tidal activity. Let a friend or family member know you are going, where you are going and when you expect to be back on shore (follow-up with an après sailing phone call). Do a meticulous pre-launch check of your craft and equipment. Recognize when conditions are beyond your ability and choose not to launch. Make sure you are properly dressed-wetsuit/drysuit/hat/booties/gloves-including your PFD. Double check your safety equipment-paddles, bailer, whistle, flares. Know when the sun is setting and understand that the wind often shuts off abruptly in the hour before sunset. Don't go farther from shore than you care to paddle back if you or your equipment should fail or the wind shuts off.
One final tip: enclose your fully charged cell phone in two sealed sandwich bags and keep on your person. In the event of a sea disaster you can't solve yourself, dialing *311 will put you in touch with the Canadian Coast Guard's Rescue Coordination Centre.

Fair winds,
Mike

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