JSCA In the Wind 2009-04-15

Thirty-five years ago the members of the shiny new JSCA faced a monumental challenge: recycle a decrepit, condemned, Department of National Defence Marine & Stores building into a low cost accessible ocean access community centre for small naturally powered craft.

Every window was broken, the roof leaked, no washrooms, shower or running water. No taxpayer funding or electricity, the only power came from people with passion and vision. Volunteers dug trenches for waterlines, fixed windows, built ramps, washrooms, clubrooms, and removed metal and piling remnants from the beach.

In the early days a young sailsnapper named Friederich Buxbaum came looking for a place to store his windsurfer. He was issued a hammer and a handful of nails, directed to a pile of lumber and told to build his own storage rack. There were no passengers among the early JSCA membership, everyone was a volunteer.

Today the JSCA still depends heavily upon volunteers to shore up the resources of our low budget community centre. This Saturday, April 18 from 1100H-1600H there is an opportunity for all members to participate in a unique volunteer work party that will "leaf" it's mark on the Jericho Sailing Centre for years to come. The Evergreen Foundation in partnership with the Jericho Stewardship Group have organized a massive Earth Day planting along the outside of the south fence of our compound. The soil beds are ready, 4,000 native species plants will be here, shovels, gloves, refreshments and entertainment will be in place, all that is needed are a couple of hundred spirited volunteers-no experience required.

I lay before you, today's 3,500 JSCA members, the garden gauntlet, in the spirit of all of those early members who volunteered and toiled so you can enjoy Vancouver's world class ocean access community centre. Please pick it up and toil in the soil for an hour or two with your fellow members and others in the community then plan to join us for a special "Save Jericho Beach" BBQ and share the volunteer spirit of the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Fair winds,

Mike

In This Issue

Earth Day Evolution

SAVE JERICHO BEACH

Jericho Website

www.jsca.bc.ca

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The Evolution of Jericho Park - Earth Day 2009

In the beginning, after the last glaciers swept by, this was where the land came to meet the sea; abrasive river sand washed by shore break the only barrier between deep blue and green. The first breath of life brought seeds of trees on the wind; Fir, Hemlock, Maple, Alder, and Red Cedar; and the lower growers: Nootka rose, Salmonberry, Native Crabapple, Oregon Grape, Saskatoon Berry and Dogwood. Wildlife flourished, fish swam in the stream and off the shore, gulls sailed the pure Pacific air. The beach dressed fashionably in wind combed shore grass.

One of the Vancouver area's first human settlements sprouted here, the ancient village of E'eyoughmough, a people who lived by, about and on board the sea, in small boats. Canoes, technical marvel of the day, provided them with opportunity to travel, explore and harvest a life from
the sea. Their gods were rooted in nature, ocean waves, forests, mountains, and all of the winds. For thousands of years they dwelled here, today too few speak of their history.

Hundreds of generations later the first piece of deeper water east of the tidal flat now known as Spanish Bank(s)*, this long wide white sandy beach with a subtle cove, drew the attention of Captain George Vancouver as he surveyed the south side of the inlet in search of safe anchorage for his tall sailing ship Discovery.

As early Vancouver settlement spread toward the proud west coast forest that once stood here, Jeremiah Rodgers pioneered a logging operation locally known as "Jeri's Cove" which slurred its way to "Jericho". The lumber from this old growth forest went to build a wooden town that soon evolved into a city.

Aristocracy chipped into the neighbourhood for a quick 18 holes over the turn of the 20th century as the Jericho Golf and Country Club catered to a fashionably attired upper crust that obediently followed little white balls around manicured lawns armed with clubs, all the while dodging the strafing sport of the native seagulls. Soon their course was altered, expropriated by the gulls and wings of another kind.

In the earliest days of Canadian aviation history, in 1921, the fledgling National Air Board established here the Jericho Beach Air Station. From this pristine shore the coastline of BC was discovered, mapped and charted by rickety flying boats and seaplanes. Pioneering innovations in provincial forestry, transportation, mail delivery and customs border patrol flying boats launched from Jericho boldly went where no one had gone before. The location was once considered for the site of Vancouver's airport-YVR Jericho.

World War ll called this place to Canada's service and the green was hastily sacrificed, temporarily covered in concrete, surrounded by barbwire, and crewed by brave Canadians propelled from here into the ghastliest depths of war. The sandy beach was suddenly impaled with hundreds of creosoted pilings and covered up with a concrete apron-the shoreline gave way to the war line.

In 1969, in a summer of love and peace, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau returned the north section of the former DND Base - Jericho Beach, over to the people of Vancouver who began an evolutionary process to develop, from the rubble of the military walls of Jericho, a park were all
could cherish the freedom that was once so dearly earned from this place. The military machine, the concrete barrel of the gun became a crystal clear flower vase and the evolution back from an instrument of war to a cradle of peaceful co-existence with nature began.

One of the Park's more memorable moments came during Habitat 1976. It was the first voyage of the Greenpeace "Save the Whales" campaign launched on a blustery and bruised sun and rain mixed "April in Vancouver" day. It was an odyssey that helped open up a new natural consciousness and changed modern day people's views and their relationship to the environment.

Another pioneering moment in Jericho Park's evolution was the realization of a dream 35 years ago, of a low cost, accessible community centre, unlike any other, anywhere, for small naturally powered craft. The Jericho Beach Air Station's Marine and Stores Building didn't quite make its date with the wrecking ball that felled the other walls of Jericho. Instead, out of the passion and pockets of Vancouver ocean lovers it became the non-taxpayer funded, low cost, highly accessible Jericho Sailing Centre. People from all walks of life, from all parts of the city could come down to where the land meets the sea and actually take a step out onto the water- a unique innovation from a city named after a prominent seafarer. Nature took another bite out of the concrete and once again people were launching canoes from part of this historic shore.

This Saturday, April 18 from 1100-1600H celebrate nature, community and take an active part of Jericho Park's ongoing evolution as a massive Earth Day Planting takes place at the Jericho Sailing Centre. Organized and hosted by the Jericho Stewardship Group and the Evergreen Foundation almost 4,000 native plants will be planted by volunteer citizens who support the re-greening of Jericho. This family-friendly event will feature an entertaining journey with a processional band, hands-on activities, a day-long drum circle, first nations storytelling, a BBQ social. Bring someone special to you and plant a plant together that will be part of the future of this place now known as Jericho Park.

Ocean & Earth Day "SAVE JERICHO BEACH" BBQ April 18 1600H-1930H

Once all the seeds of Earth Day have been sown, the JSCA Board of Directors invites all members and our guests to join them for a Jericho Sailing Centre 35^th Anniversary Earth Day "SAVE JERICHO BEACH" BBQ commencing at 1600H. Plan to celebrate the earth, the ocean, the beach and the salt of the earth people at Vancouver's Ocean Access Community Centre.

Flights of Spring Regatta - This Weekend!

The first regatta in our copious sail racing schedule takes place this weekend with the annual Flights of Spring Regatta. Registration goes from 1000H-1200H Saturday, April 18. The first start Saturday is 1300H and the first start Sunday is at 1100H. For more detailed information click on Notice of Race

Boat Wash Weekend

Time to stow the snow gear, get off the couch and get your boat ready for the new season. No more procrastinating, the JSCA will provide buckets, long handled brushes and a pressure washer available to members who have paid their 2009 fees. 0930H-1700H.

Jericho Galley Open

The Jericho Galley is now open 7 days a week (weather depending)

Weekdays 1100H-Sunset Weekends 0930H-Sunset

Several new menu items have been launched and several more will be added in May.

Jericho Rescue Team Training Course April 25 & 26

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.

Kitty Litter

Hobie Spring Cleaning and Upcoming Vancouver Regatta June 21st to 22nd

Spring cleaning not only happens in the home but at the sailing yard! We hope to provide interesting articles once a month to fellow cat sailors and welcome anyone interested in learning more about catamarans whether it be socially or racing. For those who have boats in need of repair, we have attached a link to our most recent issue of Hobie Hotline. In it, there is an article on page 12 to 13 called "This Old Hobie" on Non-Skid Repair that will help give you tips needed to get you on the water this season!

Jericho Hobie Classic

www.hobiecat.com/hobieclass

Also, Hobie Fleet 214 is looking forward to yet another successful regatta season across the North West and will be taking part in the Hobie North American Championships held at Lake Havasu in November = 15 knots, warm breeze and desert lake sailing. For those staying within town, Hobie will be hosting their annual Vancouver regatta on the Hobie Circuit which brings out at least 30+ boats on the water and makes for a great weekend to meet fellow skippers and hear tales of lore. This family friendly regatta will be held on June 21st to 22nd and welcomes sailors from as far as Oregon, Washington and Vancouver Island. If you have any questions, you can contact us through our fleet website at www.hobiefleet214.com.

JSCA 35th Anniversary Fund Raising Campaign

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.

Upcoming JSCA Meetings

Safety Committee April 22 @ 1900H
JSCA Board May 11 @ 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.

JSCA Office Hours

April Hours 0930H-1730H Every Day

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.

Index of previous issues

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