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 May 8-May 15, 2008 and beyond:

SOS 2008 May 10 -Season Opening Sailpast!
"A centuries old tradition, the "sailpast" originated when ships amassed prior to naval conflict and sailed past the Admiral's vessel to salute him/her, pledging their allegiance and hoping to pass inspection. Despite a serious lack of naval conflicts, the tradition continues to this day supported by the superstitious mariner notion that good luck and good weather accompanies all vessels and crew who participate." Sea Otter

The JSCA SOS is important to you, good member, to ensure that all of your ocean excursions this season are blessed with favourable weather. There was a skimpy turnout in 2007 and it rained on most weekends in the summer-let's learn from our mistakes and get out there this Saturday en masse!

The SOS is also an important part of the Jericho Boat Show OPEN HOUSE as it gives our visiting landlubbers an opportunity to see the Jericho Sailing Centre in action.

Jericho Members-sail, paddle, windsurf, row, whatever you like to do here, come out and "Sailpast" our flagship the Albatross and salute our President Gail Owen Saturday, May 10 between 1300H and 1500H .

Sailing Dinghies 1300H-1330H;
Windsurfers 1330H-1400H;
Paddlers 1400H-1430H;
Rowers, Sailing Canoes and Stand Paddlers 1430H-1500H.

Jericho Boat Show OPEN HOUSE Saturday May 10
The annual Jericho Boat Show Open House on Saturday, May 10 is from Noon-1600H. Bring your landlubber friends, co-workers, neighbours and relatives down to the Centre on that day to check out all of the ocean access opportunities available to them. Our schools, clubs and fleets will be on hand with sign-up information and displays. Check out our Season Opening Sailpast which this year will include a Stand Paddling Race and a salute to sailing canoes.

CityChase comes to the Jericho Sailing Centre
Two hundred and fifty participants are registered in this Saturday's "citychase" urban adventure race. The event starts and finishes at UBC and goes all over Vancouver. Participants are able to utilize public transit and their hoofies to get to and from various challenge venues including a stand-up paddling race at the Jericho Sailing Centre. The schedule of the events is a mystery but we have been asked to have the race course ready between 1000H-1600H. The stand-up paddling leg will start and finish in the windsurfing area between ramp # 4 and the groyne. For more info. on citychase urban adventure races transit over to www.citychase.com .

Rookie Racing Seminar This Sunday
There is no better way to improve your sailing skill than to race your boat. The most painless way to do that is join in on our Rookie Racing Seminar this Sunday, May 11 at 0900H in the NE meeting Room. JSCA's Principle Race Officer Benj Rummen will introduce you to the basic rules as well as strategies and tactics. After the seminar you can fuel up in the Galley, rig up your boat and join in on our weekly Sunday Racing Program.

Sunday Racing - Sunday 1230H

Tuesday Nite Racing - Tuesday 1815H

Send us your Jericho Sailing Centre photos. We are looking for "Jericho style" photos to spice up our website, newsletter and promote the Jericho Sailing Centre. Please send us your photos with a brief description.

New Eco-friendly Rescue Boat for Jericho?
Jericho Rescue Team members Jim Quinn and Ashley Ford provide maximum propulsion while Fred Wu conducts the orchestra in a stirring rendition of "Nearer My God To Thee".

Jericho Folk Club
This Tuesday Raghu Lokanathan is the Jericho Folk Club's feature artist. The JFC injects music into the soul of the Jericho Sailing Centre every Tuesday between now and the end of September. 1930H Session; 2000H Open Stage; 2120H Feature Artist. $8 admission. For more info call (604) 222-4113

Pay Parking Now in Effect
Pay Parking is now in effect in Jericho Beach Park. The cost is $1/hour or $5/day. Members who wish to purchase a $60 season parking pass for Jericho Beach Park can pick up the forms in the JSCA office or via our website www.jsca.bc.ca . Pay parking is in effect from now - September 30, 2008.

UNPAID Craft Flagged - Subject to Loss of Storage Privileges
Haven't paid your JSCA fees yet? Consider this: JSCA Storage Policy states that when storage and/or membership fees become overdue 30 days (May 1st) they may be removed from the compound at the owner's expense. Any craft removed from the compound must go on the waiting list before coming back in. With an ever growing waiting list for ground storage, the JSCA will be following this course.

Retire Your Tires
Members who currently store their craft on tires are asked to participate in the JSCA's effort to rid our compound of old rubber. Members 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 May may be removed by volunteer work parties.

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.

OPEN HOUSE May 10 Volunteers required for set-up and hosting

JSCA Office Hours
May 8-15 Hours 0930H-1730H every day. Gates open at 0700H and are locked at Dusk. (approx. 2040H).

Upcoming JSCA Meetings:
Board May 12 @ 1900H
Operations Committee June 2 @ 1900H
English Bay Safety Seminar May 26, June 23 & July 14 & 28
This 2 hour seminar covers all the known hazards in English Bay as experienced by members over the past 35 years and chronicled in the logs of the Jericho Rescue Team. Why learn the hard way in nature's harsh elements? Learn from the mistakes of others in a nice dry classroom. RSVP JSCA Office.

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