IN THIS ISSUE
Save the beach
Calling all paddlers
Fees Due April 1
Racing starts soon
Earth and Ocean Day
Join Jericho Rescue

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 March 11-30, 2009 and beyond

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is expected to consider their Planning and Environment Committee's recommendation that sets aside the previous Park Board's decision to return Central Jericho Beach to it's natural state at the March 23 Board meeting. The meeting will be held at the Park Board head office in Stanley Park and is open to the public. In all likelihood this will be a rubber stamp decision to proceed with further public consultation. The JSCA has all along supported the removal of the wharf for economic and environmental reasons along with the greater flexibility of future use - far more friendly to shipwreck on a natural beach than bump into 400 creosote leeching pilings. We will dutifully report on the new public consultation process once it is revealed so that our members can yet again participate in the democratic process in the democratic process in the democratic process....

On Thursday, March 19 at 1930H Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre and WestCoastPaddler.com present "Eastern Horizons", a movie by Bryan Smith in the Burrard Room of the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Over the course of 2008, Bryan Smith and Lise-Anne Beyries have been producing the first ever adventure sea kayaking film which comprehensively explores North America's eastern sea board. Documenting the entire length of the East Coast from Florida to Newfoundland, Eastern Horizons aims to blend the rich history and culture of the Atlantic with world class sea kayakers, idyllic destinations, incredible wildlife and compelling stories of people
who's lives are deeply connected to the Atlantic Ocean. From paddling the wildlife rich swamps and mangroves of the Carolinas to the icebergs of Newfoundland; from surfing the "zipper" at Tybee Island, Georgia to playing in the tidal flows around Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy; and from capturing the iconic urban landscapes of New York City to the remote fishing villages of Quebec's north shore, Eastern Horizons will inspire paddlers and non-paddlers alike to get out and explore the ocean! Doors open at 7:30pm Tickets: $5 available at Ecomarine Granville Island. Link to Eastern Horizons blog:

http://reelwaterproductions.com/eastern-horizons/

The JSCA recently sent out notices to 37 members who own ground stored craft which appear not to have been actively used in the past year. There are currently 60 members on the waiting list to get a storage space in the Jericho Sailing Centre Compound. Members who received notices will not be eligible for storage in the 2009 season unless they can successfully appeal to the JSCA Operations Committee. The Operations Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7 at 1900H. Members who are appealing the notices are invited to attend and will be given the opportunity to speak if desired. All members are welcome to attend.

A reminder that your 2009 JSCA Membership and Storage fees are due April 1, 2009. A late fee of $30 will apply to fees paid between April 2-30; a $60 late fee will be applied to late payments received during the month of May, and after that things go from bad to worse and your ship could end up on the craggy rocks of our annual bailiff auction. If you are planning not to store your craft at the Jericho Sailing Centre this year please ensure that you vacate by March 31 and notify the JSCA office so we may bring boats in from our waiting list.

Adventure Sailing in New Zealand with Pat Gannon

In December of 2008, I received an e-mail from my boss advising me that I had been handed a two week assignment in Brisbane Australia early in the New Year. As I had never been "down under" before, I was quite looking forward to visiting this part of the world, especially on the company nickel. I also saw it as an opportunity to visit New Zealand, which is one place that I had always wanted to go. My wife and adult son joined me in Brisbane and after I had completed my work assignment, we flew to Auckland.

Our travel itinerary had us first spending 3 nights in Rotorua. This is a wonderful place and in spite of being a popular tourist spot, still has that small town feel and the wonderful Kiwi hospitality. We also made a day trip to Mt. Maunganui which is on the East coast about an hour's drive from Rotorua. Mt. Maunganui has a fantastic beach, and if you are feeling energetic (as apparently we were), you can climb the 400 meters to the top of the mount for some spectacular views of the surrounding area and the South Pacific. A swim at the beach is a nice way to cool off afterwards.

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Penguin Cup April 5 & 12 @ 1230H
Flights of Spring Regatta April 18 & 19

The complete racing schedule is here

The JSCA welcomes all members who haven't done it already to come out and give your boat a good scrub to get it ready for the peak season. We will have a supply of buckets, long handled brushes, biodegradable soap, and a couple of pressure washers available to members who have paid their 2009 fees.

Why do they call it "Earth Day" when the planet is 4/5ths water? In any case, for the 3rd year in a row an Earth Day Celebration will be held at the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Earth Day Planting
The particulars are still being sown at this time but it appears members of the Jericho Stewardship Group and Evergreen will be organizing a massive planting of Nootka Rose, Native Crabapple and Baby's Breath along the south fence of the Jericho Compound east of our main entrance. This planting will complement the native plant garden to the west of our fence and just inside the entrance, also developed with the cooperation of the Evergreen Foundation and wonderfully maintained by our champion gardener JSCA volunteer Paul Morris, his partner Rae Collins and their green thumbed apprentice volunteers. All JSCA members and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Ocean Day BBQ
Once the seeds have been sown, the JSCA Board of Directors invites all members and our guests to join them for a Jericho Sailing Centre 35th Anniversary BBQ social commencing at 1600H. Get to know your fellow members of JSCA and the surrounding Jericho Park Community. Plan to celebrate the earth, the ocean and the salt of the earth people on this day at the Jericho Sailing Centre, Vancouver's Ocean Access Community Centre.

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 2009 events calendar. Qualified candidates can sign up for the Jericho Rescue Team Training Course which will be conducted on April 25 & 26. 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 Benj, Rory or myself in the Jericho office to discuss your qualification for this program.

Thank you to all the members who have participated in the JSCA's 35th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign to date - so far, your response has been outstanding. Members are directing their donations to the following categories:
1) Compound Enhancement
2) Building Enhancement
3) Jericho Rescue
4) Disabled Sailing Association Dock Fund***
5) General
***As the JSCA is not a registered charity, if you require a charitable receipt for tax purposes please direct your donation to the DSA Dock Fund and the DSA will send you a receipt.

The JSCA Fundraising Committee developed the following letter which was included in the annual JSCA invoicing package explaining the JSCA 35th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign:

For 35 years, The Jericho Sailing Centre Association has operated as a not-for-profit society dedicated to low cost ocean access recreation. As the largest community-based aquatic association of its kind in Canada, we're proud of what we've been able to offer our members and the public. During 2008, JSCA's achievements were remarkable:

Memberships provided 3,500
Clubs accommodated 38
Guests served 15,000
Youth participants in lessons 4,600
(sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, skimboarding)
Disabled Sailing Assoc. sessions 900
Competition events hosted 70
Mariners in distress rescued 241
(by our volunteer Rescue Team)

Great! What about next year? Despite these impressive accomplishments, and the increasing demand for memberships and services, JSCA currently faces more challenges than ever. As the Association doesn't receive taxpayer or government funding, it depends solely on its members and other users of the Jericho Sailing Centre to fund the annual operating budget as well as essential upgrades, enhancements and improvements for the benefit of all members, guests and other participants.

What can be done? As we develop alternative fundraising initiatives to ensure the smooth operation of the Jericho Sailing Centre now and in the foreseeable future, we're pleased to introduce JSCA's first Annual Giving Campaign.

What's the goal of Annual Giving? The Annual Giving Fund represents the ongoing contributions by members and friends of the Jericho Sailing Centre who wish to provide much needed continuing support for the Centre. The goal of this year's Annual Giving Fund is to raise $40,000. Monies raised will be applied towards JSCA's Building and Compound Enhancement, Jericho Safety & Rescue, and additional facilities for the Disabled Sailing Association. If you're passionate about the Jericho Sailing Centre, have benefited from all it has to offer individuals, families and children, and want to see the legacy of this spectacular facility and location continue to thrive, Annual Giving is a great way to give back to the Centre. JSCA needs your support. Your gift, whatever the size, will make a difference.

Can I direct my gift? You certainly can! You may choose to contribute an unrestricted gift to the General Fund that can be used in the area of greatest need as directed by the JSCA Board. You can also choose to direct your donation to an area of JSCA you feel most passionate about. JSCA also welcomes planned giving and living legacy giving (please contact the office for more information).

How can I make a contribution? Include your donation with your annual JSCA fees or download the Donation Form from our website and fax it to 604-224-4168, or mail or drop it off in person at JSCA, 1300 Discovery St., Vancouver, BC V6R 4L9 (Tel 604-224-4177).

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Please consider supporting JSCA through this year's Annual Giving Campaign.
Thank you.

JSCA Programmes Committee March 31 @ 1900H
Safety Committee April 4 @ 1000H
Operations Committee April 7 @ 1900H
Food & Beverage Committee April 8 @ 1900H
JSCA Board April 14 @ 1900H

Committee minutes and meeting schedules can be found on our website at www.jsca.bc.ca to facilitate member awareness and involvement in their one of a kind, world class, ocean access community centre.

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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