Ahoy JSCA Members:
Here is what's "in the wind", coming
events and items of interest at the
Jericho Sailing Centre, Vancouver's
Ocean Access Community Centre, for April
11-18, 2008 and beyond:
Sailor Sam Sails Home
I first met Sam Sullivan on a typically
grey Vancouver day in October 1988 on
the tarmac in front of the Jericho Sailing
Centre. He rolled into the compound
with a "Sunbird" sailboat, a third hand
gift from British Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher via Rick Hanson- a trinket
from Rick's "Man in Motion" around the
world tour. Never the seafaring type,
Rick didn't know what to do with it,
so he handed it off to Sam, a specially
designed and engineered, adaptable sailing
dinghy which could be tailored to allow
people with varying degrees of mobility
in their limbs to experience the freedom
of sailing on the sea under their own
command. As enlightened as I felt at
the time by Rick Hanson's inspiring
odyssey aimed at highlighting the abilities
of people with disabilities, I didn't
think taking a person from their wheelchair
and launching them into the sea in a
small boat on their own seemed like
a very good idea: and I plainly stated
as much. Fortunately, I was the new
guy then, and no one listened to me.
It didn't take long to change the minds
of those who might've doubted the program
would hold any water. Sam and his fellow
sailing test pilots, the founding members
of the Disabled Sailing Association,
went about putting the "'bird" through
her paces, sailing it in all wind and
sea surface conditions under the careful,
sceptical scrutiny of the Jericho Rescue
Team. Four hundred pounds of lead in
a drop keel made capsizing an intact
boat almost impossible, but she sailed
upwind like a tug. She tacked like a
tug towing a barge. Her Beluga bulbous,
rounded hull gave her freighter-like
reflexes: her tablecloth sized underpowered
sails and foam filled buoyancy compartments
were all geared toward compromising
performance for safety and soon earned
her the respect of knowledgeable doubters.
The newly formed DSA quickly drew new
members; many former sailors who thought
their disability automatically meant
they would never sail again. The program
was drafted, evolved and redrafted,
many times. The variety of disability
types served expanded from physical
to include functionally and mentally
disabled folk. The scope of the program
widened from leisure, to include racing,
experiential and rehabilitative. Many
people experienced sailing a Sunbird
as part of their transition from post
trauma facilities to their new regular
life as a person with disabilities. Leaving wheelchairs
on the beach to sail with the seagulls
quickly became more and more popular,
more boats were added and the DSA launched
hundreds of sailors each year. The program
drew interest from other Canadian cities
and other countries.
The first sailing regatta for people
with disabilities, the Mobility Cup,
was held in 1991 and for the next seven
years it drew disabled sailors from
all over the world to Vancouver and
the Jericho Sailing Centre. The last
Mobility Cup at the Jericho Sailing
Centre was in 1997: since then its been
all over the world coming back to Vancouver
in 2006 when it was hosted by that yacht
club down the beach whose name escapes
me at the moment. The disabled sailing
program that Sam Sullivan started at
the Jericho Sailing Centre in 1988 has
grown worldwide with 30 branches in
Canada alone. If Rick Hanson alerted
able-bodied folk to the fact that people
with disabilities have more ability
than we previously recognized, Sam's
sailing program punctuated the point,
with a sprig of sea spray.
Sam served on the Jericho Sailing Centre
Association board of directors for two
years prior to being elected to Vancouver
City Council. What stood out in that
time was his thoughtful reserved manner
no matter how tempestuous the debate
and his ability to bring people with
passion, diversity and yes, sometimes
even malice, together. Sam's calm, rationale
style was that of a navigator charting
a course, bringing all variables and
viewpoints into consideration, always
looking for the best route before setting
our organizational sails in any given
direction. Sam arrived on a divisive,
dysfunctional board and departed two
years later leaving a board that strived
to set the best course by building consensus
in his wake.
Sailor Sam returns to his home port,
the Jericho Sailing Centre, as Vancouver's
Mayor this SATURDAY, April 12 from 1400H-1600H
for an informal "Coffee with the Mayor"
session and is inviting JSCA members
to attend and share ideas and visions
of the future for this city named after
another famous sailor.
Member Opinion Straw Poll - Jericho Ocean
Access Centre?
There was a philosophical discussion
at this past weeks JSCA Board meeting
regarding the name of the Jericho Sailing
Centre. People often confuse us with
a yacht club or think that ocean access
opportunities here are limited to sailing.
What's your opinion? Do you think the
JSCA should consider a name change,
and what would you call it? We will
report percentages of your YES or NO
responses and tidbits of your qualifying
remarks in future issues of "in the
wind".
20th year of Penguin Cup Racing
begins This Sunday at 1230H
The first Penguin Cup race series was
run in 1989 at the request of Jericho's
Tasar Fleet who were keen to start the
racing season early in order to practice
for the Tasar Worlds held that summer
at the Jericho Sailing Centre. The series
runs in the spring and fall, before
and after our regular Sunday/Tuesday
race series.
Annual Spring Boat Wash This Weekend
The JSCA is encouraging all members to
come out this weekend and shine up your
bottom (and the rest of your boat too!).
We'll have power washers, buckets, scrub
brushes, sponges and soap on hand to
facilitate getting your boat prepped
for the season.
Earth Day Vancouver - April 26 Jericho
Beach Park
Our friends at Evergreen are celebrating
Earth Day in Jericho Beach Park and
are looking for volunteers to help with
planting, restoration work, engaging
children, assisting with creative performing,
helping performers, set-up and tear-down,
and more. If you are interested in helping
out contact Alston Bonamis, Earth Day
Volunteer Co-ordinator at (604) 689-0766
Ext. 31 or abonamis@evergreen.ca
Pay Parking Commences May 1
Members who wish to purchase a $60 season
parking pass for Jericho Beach Park
can pick up the forms in the JSCA office
or from the JSCA
website, or by emailing your form
request to monthlyparkingvancouver@parking.com . Pay
parking is in effect from May 1- September
30, 2008.
Jericho Sailing Centre-Summer
Staff Wanted
The Jericho Sailing Centre is in need
of summer crew for various duties including
reception and office duties, storage
and maintenance, water safety and racing.
If you are an ocean oriented person
interested in serving Vancouver's ocean
access community in a dynamic team oriented
atmosphere please send your resume and
cover letter to mike@jsca.bc.ca
April is Tire Exchange
Month
In
April, members who currently store their
craft on tires may trade these tires
to the JSCA for foam blocks at no cost
to them. The tires will be collected
by the JSCA under the BC Tire Stewardship
Program and sent for recycling. Members
are asked to help us rid the compound
of tires, a breeding ground for mosquitoes
which could potentially spread the West
Nile Virus, as soon as possible. While
we prefer not to tamper with boats stored
on tires, any tires remaining under
boats after the end of April may be
removed by volunteer work parties.
CYA Judging Seminar
The False Creek Creek Yacht Club is hosting
a CYA Judging Certification Seminar
on April 14 & 15. The program includes
a Rules and Tactics Seminar on the 14th
and a Protest Hearing Process on the
15th- all good information that would
benefit any racer. The cost for each
evening is $25 or $40 for both.
Outrigger Canoe Paddling Development
Program-Starts This Weekend
The Jericho Outrigger Canoe Club has
been a fixture at the Jericho Sailing
Centre since 1993. These magnificent
hulls glide through the chop of English
Bay as smoothly as silk propelled by
teams of 6 paddlers. If you've ever
wondered what it's like on board here
is your chance to find out: sign up
for the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association's
Outrigger Paddling Development Program
for an introduction to the fundamentals
of outrigger paddling and steering.
The program goes every Saturday April
12 to May 17, and, if you choose, a
seat in the Jericho Iron Classic race
on May 24. Times are 1000H-1200H. Registration
is $50 and includes your 2008 CORA membership.
For more info or to register contact
jerichoinfo@googlegroups.com (I can tell you from a sailor's point
of view, paddling in a 6 person outrigger
canoe is a great rush!)
JSCA Volunteer Work parties
Thank you to all the members who have
participated with our volunteer programs
to date; you folks put the wind in the
sails of the Jericho Sailing Centre.
April
12 & 13
Rack Moving
JSCA Office Hours
April Hours 0930H-1630H Weekdays. 0900H-1700H
Weekends. Gates open at 0700H and are
locked at Dusk. (approx. 1945H).
Upcoming JSCA Meetings:
Programs
April 28 @ 1900H
Operations
April 29 @ 1900H
Board
May 12 @ 1900H
Join the Jericho Rescue
Team
The Jericho Rescue Team is looking for
experienced sailors, windsurfers, paddlers
and rowers who are interested in developing
their seamanship and water safety skills,
and are willing to volunteer to assist
their fellow boaters. The Jericho Rescue
Team provides safety and rescue support
for all on-water events facilitated
by the JSCA. This year our Rescue Team
members will provide rescue coverage
for the over 90 on-water event days
on our 2008 events calendar. Qualified
candidates can sign up for the Jericho
Rescue Team Training Course which will
be conducted on April 26 & 27. We
provide training in water safety and
seamanship, Boathandling, boat rescue
and first aid. Course graduates must
complete ongoing Rescue Team training
including the Pleasure Craft Operators
Certification, VHF Radio Licence, emergency
first aid and CPR Certification (all
provided). If you are interested please
contact me in the Jericho office to
discuss your qualification for this
program.
On the Water, Your Safety is Your Responsibility
Please remember that launching in Vancouver
spring conditions requires 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,
dialling *311 will put you in touch
with the Canadian Coast Guard's Rescue
Coordination Centre.
Fair winds,
Mike
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