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 June 12-18, 2008 and beyond:

Vancouver Connecting with the Sea
It might've been that first trip to the seashore long ago, pail in one hand, shovel in the other, the symphony of breeze, gulls and waves, sun baking sand, breakers kissing shoreline, and all around you the sweet, adrenalin laced smell of salt air that made you feel so alive. Maybe it was while you defended sand castles from inevitable tides, or paddled logs with driftwood, imagining sea battles and discovering the undiscovered: or skimming over the surface of a tidal pool on a piece of plywood. It could've been later on, studying the history- "Discovery" under George Vancouver's command: or strolling along a pier, swinging hands, looking into a true love's eyes and feeling a connection: or even just drop jaw marveling at the awesome, wind ripping, pressure washing power of an incoming Pacific storm colliding with the steadfast North Shore Mountains. At one point or another people in Vancouver have been touched by our distinctive ocean environment - how could we not be?

Perhaps it was a seaside location that drew us nearer to her: Point Atkinson, Locarno Beach, Dundarave, Ambleside: English Bay Beach, Second Beach, Third Beach, Sunset. Maybe it was Kitsilano, or right here at Jericho Beach. It might've been when a hot summer day lured us into her embrace, for a swim in the solar heated waters flowing over Spanish Banks**.

Maybe it was the sight of a pod of kayaks happily paddling by, a flock of flying windsurfers, or a school of sailing dinghies picking their way through the waves against the wind-or the champions of all sailors, the reflective souls of all seafarers since time began- the gulls; hovering in the air, calling for your soul to join them.

Some hear it, some don't. For those that do it starts with a curiosity when whatever impressions or memories that bond you to the sea get stirred and you wonder, what would it be like to be out there, on the sea, in one of those boats?

Thousands answer the sirens of the sea every year through Vancouver's Ocean Access Community Centre. The Jericho Sailing Centre's schools offer a wide variety of quality lesson, rental and season pass programs for kayaking, windsurfing, dinghy sailing, skim boarding and stand-up paddling. Our community club programs offer alternative low cost ocean access including outrigger canoeing, high performance paddling, rowing and, sailing for people with disabilities. Accentuate your connection to the sea, sign-up for summer programs at the Jericho Sailing Centre:

Ocean Kayaking www.ecomarine.com
Windsurfing/skim boarding/stand-paddling www.windsure.com
Dinghy Sailing www.macsailing.com

**As an avid Vancouver seafarer I realize the correct name is "Spanish Bank"- singular, but the 'lubbers all call it "Spanish Banks" and this little flotsam/jetsam blog was really meant to promote our schools. Sea Otter

Rookie Racing Seminar This Sunday 0900H
Want to learn how to race? Come to the Rookie Racing Seminar this Sunday, June 15 from 0900H-1100H in the NE Meeting Room. Our Tuesday Nite Racing PRO, Benj Rummen, will simplify the rules and explain basic strategies and tactics. This program is free to JSCA members, $72 for non-members. Please RSVP JSCA Office.

Sunday Racing - Father's Day-Take Dad Sailing!
There will be Sunday Racing this Sunday at 1230H. Sunday Racing will take a break the following weekend June 21 and 22 as we host the Hobie Classic Regatta.

Coach's Corner- Special Edition Tuesday Nite Racing June 17
Former Canadian Olympic Sailing Team Coach and MacSailing School Co-owner Dave Thomas is onboard for a Special Edition of Tuesday Nite Racing on Tuesday, June 17 at 1730H. There will be an instructional Skippers Meeting in the entrance plaza at 1730H then it's out on the water for first start at 1815H. We'll have Dave and a camera on Jericho Rescue following all the evening's action. Back in the Burrard Room, refreshment's in hand, Dave will break down all of the winning strategies and tactics in an interactive session geared toward helping you get the most out of your racing experience. All JSCA members & their guests are welcome.

Jericho Classic Regatta-General Recall
Fifty-nine sailing dinghies competed in the annual Jericho Classic Regatta this past weekend in light wind conditions. Saturday was a particularly light day as the race committee and mark set crews chased shifting winds with start pins and marks. Veteran PRO Rory Johnston and his accomplices managed to complete 4 races in somewhat dubious conditions. Sunday the wind was slightly stronger and much steadier. Complete regatta results are on our website at www.jsca.bc.ca

The Janet Westwood Spirit Award "empty vessels make the loudest sound"
The winner of the 2008 Janet Westwood Spirit Award is long-time JSCA member Peter Nash who sailed in the Laser Class of the Jericho Classic Regatta. The race committee volunteers were struck by Peter's determination after multiple capsizes and two resonating boom bonks to the head. At one point Peter surfaced with a smile on his face looking for his lost hat, loudly quoting Plato. Asked for comment afterward Peter explained "I'd just been hit over the head with my boom; I had no idea what I was saying!"
Janet Westwood was a wonderfully positive and spirited member and volunteer of the JSCA who passed away in 2005 after losing her second battle with cancer. Her son David and daughter Sarah donated the trophy to be "Awarded to the sailor best exemplifying the true spirit of sailing, both on and off the water" each year at the Jericho Classic Regatta. Previous recipients were Rob Burton in 2006 and Andy Hunt in 2007.

Join the Jericho Kayak Fleet
The Jericho Kayak Fleet is inviting JSCA paddlers to come out and join them for Social Paddles on Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings and the odd Full Moon. They meet at the east side of ramp #4 on Thursdays at 1900H and Saturdays at 0845H. For further information e-mail Gail Owen at Gail_Owen@jsca.bc.ca

Windsurfing Wednesdays 1800H-2000H
Coaching tips to help you get the most out of your windsurfing, completely free to JSCA members, meet on the beach west of ramp 4: This program is weather dependent and won't be offered in the rain or in no wind. This is not an introductory lesson, please see the fine folks at Windsure Windsurfing for lesson program info.

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.
Thanks to Dale Rollings for this week's cover photo.

The Disabled Sailing Association Launches it's 20th year
It all started at the Jericho Sailing Centre in the Fall of 1988. Sam Sullivan, Brent Foote and Mike Stiles rolled into the compound with a Sunbird, the first one in Canada, a specially adapted dinghy designed to be sailed by people with disabilities. The boat had been donated by British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher to Rick Hanson on his round the world "Man in Motion" tour.

Coming up in a future "in the wind" DSA Founder, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan shoots the breeze on 20 years of ocean accessibility in a city named after a sailor.

Photo: Sailor Sam skippering the first "Sunbird" in the initial days of the Disabled Sailing Association

BAILIFF AUCTION Saturday, July 5 at Noon
Registered notices have been sent to the following former JSCA members informing them that their craft is heading for the Bailiff Auction:
Frederic Bass/Roma Dehr Kayak
Garner Bolderson Davidson 12
Phillip Cook Hobie 18
Robin Ferrier KC 17
Chris Gardner Kayak
Rhiannon Lynne Jones Laser
Michael Lukes Laser
Jan Mahan Hobie 16
Rick & Margo McLean Canoe
Trevor Mills Kayak & Fireball
John David Richardson Laser
Jeremy Sheppard Sailboard
Steward Smith/Lynne Jones 2 Kayaks
Daniel Snell Sailboard
George Wade Canoe
Mystery Trailer Owners Beware
There are several mystery trailers scattered around the Jericho Sailing Centre compound. The JSCA does not allow storage of trailers without a corresponding craft which must be stored on the trailer. We will put a lien on these trailers and include them with the Bailiff Auction on July 5 if no owners come forward.

Tuesday Nite Racing - Every Tuesday 1815H Sharp

Rock Party Saturday, June 21 @ 1400H - Volunteer Workparty
If you've ever stubbed your toe or your hull landing on the beach at the Jericho Sailing Centre, or fear doing so in the future, join our volunteers on Saturday, June 21 at 1300H. There is a 2.6' Low Tide and we'll be removing any gel coat crunching rocks and relocating them to safer places. Footwear mandatory, gloves recommended.

June 21 & 22 Hobie Classic Regatta

Jericho Folk Club
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

JSCA Office Hours
Hours; Tuesdays-Saturdays 0930H-2030H; Sunday & Monday 0930H-1800H Gates open at 0700H and are locked at Dusk. (approx. 2120H). The office closes every Wednesday between Noon and 1230H for our weekly staff meeting which helps us better serve the JSCA.

Upcoming JSCA Meetings:
Planning Meeting June 23 @ 1900H
Operations Meeting July 7 @ 1830H
Board Meeting July 14 @ 1900H

English Bay Safety Seminar June 16, June 23 & July 14 & 28 @ 1900H
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.

WCB Level I First Aid Course This Saturday 0900H-1700H
We have a couple of vacant spots left available in a WCB Level I First Aid Course we organized for Jericho Rescue Team volunteers. Any Jericho member is welcome to sign-up via the JSCA office (604)224-4177. The cost is $65.

Safety is Your Responsibility - Tip of the Week - Cloud Burns
Despite the obvious lack of sunshine this spring, many people who venture out onto Vancouver's largest playground are still managing to collect sunburns. Sunburns have a cumulative effect on your epidermis which may lead to skin cancer - clouds do not provide adequate UV protection.

Fair winds,
Mike