Jericho Sailing
Centre "in the wind" November 16, 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 16-22,
2007 and beyond:
Galloping La Nina Funnels Flying Boats
The white horses of
winter are gathering more frequently this
year to gallop their way across the salty
range of English Bay. The weather folk say
that a La Nina winter tends to funnel winter
storms, which normally landfall on the
northern BC coast, to the lower coast so we
should be prepared to ride out a volatile
white cap infested season.
The Remembrance Day
weekend storm rekindled some old memories as
"flying boats" were once again taking off
from the former RCAF Jericho Air Station
-though it wasn't by design. In one case a
22' Tornado catamaran lifted off from its
storage space landing on a neighbouring
Tornado. Members who owned the more
obviously wind disheveled craft received
phone calls from JSCA staff, but our
resources are spread thin this time of year
and we may not have spotted them all. A tarp
that was simply loosened by the last storm
may turn into a spinnaker in the next one
causing your boat to be the bucking bronco
in a fiberglass rodeo; and you, could be on
the hook for the damage.
If you haven't checked
out your boat lately, now is a good time to
clear out the cobwebs in your hay loft,
saddle up, take a scenic trot to Jericho
Beach and check your trusty wave steed to
make sure it's still in the stable. While
you're here, canter over to the Jericho
Galley-it's open on weekends so you can grab
a coffee, hot chocolate or even strap on a
feedbag and watch the stampeding waves
trample the shoreline.
Jericho Winter Kayaking Group
Last Saturday's "calm
before the storm" was the perfect time for
the first gathering of the recently, ever so
loosely formed, Jericho Winter Kayaking
Group. They had so much fun they'll
be doing it again on:
Saturday Nov 17th @ 9:00 am for 2 hours
Friday Nov 23 @ 6:30 pm for 2 hours
Saturday Dec 1 @ 9:00 am for 2 hours
(Weather may change these dates and times.)
Any interested members
who are properly equipped and dressed are
welcome to join in. To get onto the groups
emailing list or for more info. contact Gail
Owen at
gail_owen@jsca.bc.ca The group
prides itself in sharing and practicing safe
paddling procedures.
Director Resignation
Norm Eldridge, who has
served on the JSCA Board for the past two
years, is relocating to the sailing grounds
of Victoria and has resigned from his
position. Thank you Norm and bon voyage. The
Board is inviting interested JSCA members to
submit a letter of interest to fill this
vacant position. The nomination deadline is
December 10, 2007 at 1630H. Nominees are
asked to attend the December 11 JSCA Board
meeting at 1900H. If you would like more
information please contact me via reply
email or by phone at 224-4177.
Developing the JSCA's Annual Action Plan
for 2008
The 2008 JSCA Board met
for the first time this past Tuesday and
established the initial Committee Meeting
Schedule. Members are encouraged to
participate on the committees to ensure that
the JSCA serves all members. If you are
unable to personally attend but have some
ideas you'd like to see happen please email
me and I will take them to the appropriate
committee meeting. The following is a list
of JSCA standing committees and a summary of
their functions:
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
(Next Meeting November 21 @ 1900H)
To serve as the Jericho
Sailing Centre's Technical Maintenance
Committee for the building, compound, ramps
and beaches. To consider requests for annual
allocation and restricted use of
club/meeting rooms, craft storage, and
locker space. To receive and consider
members' appeals of administration decisions
in reference to storage and space
allocation, and make recommendations in
writing to the Board.
PROGRAMMES COMMITTEE
(Next Meeting November 27 @ 1900H)
To develop policy for
all J.S.C.A. Special Events, including: room
bookings, compound bookings, race equipment
bookings, food and beverage requirements,
fee structure of room rental, security,
insurance, etc. To ensure that existing
policies regarding special events are
maintained. To consider and recommend
approval of specific major events to be held
in future years. To coordinate and provide
adequate volunteers for all J.S.C.A.
sponsored events such as our Open House,
Jericho Classic, etc.
To oversee all aspects
of racing at J.S.C.A including development
of the annual racing schedule and ensuring
training for an adequate number of
volunteers. To oversee the production of the
J.S.C.A. newsletter to ensure it is produced
and distributed with reasonable frequency
and adequate quality. To oversee the
development and maintenance of the JSCA
website.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
(Next Meeting TBA)
To provide a structure
for the on-going function and development of
physical plant of Jericho Sailing Centre
Association.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
(Next Meeting November 26 @ 0900H)
To oversee the
operation and maintenance of all J.S.C.A.
power craft and accessory equipment. Be
responsible for training and testing all
operators of J.S.C.A. power craft. Oversee
the Jericho Rescue Team Program. To maintain
a safety conscious atmosphere for J.S.C.A.
users, both on the water and in/around the
compound.
Complete committee
descriptions and all JSCA Board and
Committee minutes and meeting schedules can
be found on our website at
www.jsca.bc.ca to facilitate member
awareness and involvement in their world
class, one of a kind, ocean access community
centre.
Annual JSCA Fleet Planning Meeting -
Tuesday, November 27 @ 1900H
Racers, whatever your
class, this is the meeting where we lay out
the first draft of the 2008 JSCA Competitive
Event Schedule. If you have an idea for an
event, come to this meeting, share your
ideas and help us plan while there is room
on the schedule. In 2007 the Jericho Sailing
Centre hosted 90 on water event days, we're
likely to do more in 2008, the time to plan
is now.
JSCA Office Hours
November Hours 0930H-1630H Weekdays.
0900H-1700H Weekends. Gates open at 0700H
and are locked at Dusk. (approx. 1630H).
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
Links to earlier issues