All members are invited to attend the annual JSCA Racing Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, October 25 at 1700H. Tickets are $10 and available in the JSCA office up until Saturday, October 24. There will be a slideshow presentation and awards bestowed upon our notable racers and volunteers. As our way of showing appreciation for our volunteers, they receive complementary tickets. If you volunteered for the JSCA in 2009 and haven't received your invitation please contact Mike or Benj in the JSCA office.

 

The 2009 Fall Penguin Cup Race Series concludes this Sunday. Racing starts at 1230H. Everyone welcome.

 

The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition is encouraging Vancouverites to participate in "Bike to Work Week" November 2-8, 2009. You can register under your workplace or scroll down to JSCA (Jericho Sailing Centre Association) and ad yourself to our organization's registration - either way VACC's program will calculate the amount of pollution you don't put into the air. For more information and to register pedal over to: www.biketoworkmetrovan.ca/home 

Are you considering making a charitable donation this year? Did you know that the first Disabled Sailing Association in Canada here at the Jericho Sailing Centre is now one of 40 in our country and the only one without a floating dock facility? In 2009 the DSA launched close to 900 sails here from the Jericho Sailing Centre but many more people were left on shore due to inaccessibility of ramp launched craft at lower tides. A dock facility would effectively increase their capacity by 50% allowing more people to escape their earthly bonds and experience the freedom of sailing over the sea.
 
The Disabled Sailing Association has set up a designated fund to assist with financing a new dock facility. It is now possible for people to make donations and receive charitable receipts via the DSA website at www.disabilityfoundation.org/dsa  Click "Donate Now through Canada Helps" under "Fund/Designation" click "Jericho Floating Dock Project". A charitable tax receipt will be sent via email. For more information you can contact Duane Geddes at the Disability Foundation (604)688-6464.

 

0930H-1730H everyday. Gates open at 0700H and are locked at Dusk. (approx. 1800H).

 

Every "off season" vicious wind storms rip through the Jericho Sailing Centre compound looking for loose tarps, boat covers and poorly stowed gear. When they find a loose tarp they can turn a docile hibernating boat into a flying projectile which can cause damage to neighbouring craft. Members are responsible for ensuring they have "battened down the hatches" on their equipment stored at the Jericho Sailing Centre. If your boat causes damage to neighbouring craft you can be held liable. We encourage you to check your craft regularly year round (particularly after gnarly windstorms), remove any parts or equipment that can be easily removed (most thefts occur between Oct.-April) and make sure water doesn't collect inside your hull (if it freezes and expands it can cause major damage).

(Long-time Jericho Hobie sailor Clayton Sprung has asked me to remind all cat sailors that removing your tramp for the winter is not only prudent preventative maintenance - your tramp will last much longer - but a boat without the tramp installed will provide less wind resistance in the face of a tempest.)

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.