Jericho Sailing Centre AssociationMay 11, 2011

in the wind

Ahoy Ocean Lovers: 
 

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 11-25, 2011 and beyond:

 

In This Issue
Discovery Accolades
Find Us on Facebook
Important Meeting For Jericho Beach
Jericho Beach Sailpast 2011 THIS Saturday May 14

The original Jericho Beach "Sail past " was conducted in Coast Salish cedar canoes almost three thousand years ago. The whole village likely turned out to watch their seafaring kin shovel waves with paddles, plowing their craft through mother earth' s liquid element over the bounding main, sailing to their latest quest (which was bound to be something other than recreational).

A notable Jericho Beach "Sail past" occurred 35 years ago when the Greenpeace vessel "James Bay" powered through muscular English Bay waves on a blustery breezy spring day past a crowd of thousands of Vancouverites  on the day after Habitat '76  to begin the first "Save the Whales" odyssey. It was the liquid infancy of a worldwide consciousness that shaped the foundation of how we view our ocean environment today.

It's not too likely that thousands of people or the whole village of Vancouver will turn out to view the next Sailpast from Jericho Beach this Saturday or that it will rival these earlier  adventures in significance but, such as it is, membersof Vancouver's ocean access community centre will launch from this historical beach in a time honoured tradition May 14 between Noon and 1500H for the 37th (or so) annual Jericho Sailing Centre Sailpast.  

All members of the JSCA are invited to show their community spirit by taking the plunge to sail, paddle, surf or row past the Jericho Sailing Centre's flagship, the Albatross,  saluting those on board any time between Noon and 1500H. It doesn't matter when you do it, or how many times, just do it and it will bring you good fortune on the sea for the rest of the 2011 season. 

Jericho Boat Show OPEN HOUSE this Saturday
The annual Jericho Boat Show Open House is this Saturday, May 14 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, there will be plenty of activity on the water and guests will receive member discounts on purchases in the Galley Patio & Grill. 
Discovery Sailing Club Earns Award from Big Brothers

Discovery Sailing Club is honoured and delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Murray Goldman Charity Award.  The Murray Goldman Award is presented annually to an organization that has shown outstanding support to Big Brothers over the years.  The Award will be presented at the Big Brothers Annual Awards Night on May 26. 

 

Discovery Sailing Club has hosted a sail and barbeque day for Big Brothers since 2002.  These annual events, which include sailing, sailing instruction and boat safety instruction, have provided a friendly, safe, first-time sailing experience for Little and Big Brothers.  These events have been made possible only by the generous support of Jericho Sailing Centre and Jericho Rescue Team, and help from Mac Sailing and Sea Dragons.

 

Discovery Sailing Club will be at the Jericho Boat Show Open House at the Jericho Sailing Centre, Saturday, May 14 from 12 noon to 4 pm.  Come on down and find out how you can enjoy sailing with Discovery Sailing Club.  New members are always welcome! 

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Jericho Beach Ecological Restoration

Park Board Open House Next Wednesday May 18

The Park Board received 540 responses regarding the new concept plans for the Jericho Park Marginal Wharf area restoration project within the 2 weeks following their Open House on April 12, 2011.

An overwhelming majority of residents (440 responses) support natural beach and shoreline restoration, and removal of the sea wall that is presently located behind the marginal wharf in particular.
 

Based on this input, the priority going forward will be removal of the wall, and naturalization of the beach and shoreline, in a phased approach in keeping with the available budget. Historical interpretation will be included.

The Park Board is currently working with the consulting team to revise the plan and details for the area, for your review and comment at the next open house:

What:   Open House for Jericho Park Marginal Wharf area Restoration
When:  May 18, 2011
Where: Jericho Sailing Centre
Time:   5:00-8:00 P.M.

Staff and consultants will be present to share information about the revised design, project budget, timelines and phases at this event.

The Park Board says they are forward to working collaboratively with residents to finalize the plans for the Jericho Park Marginal Wharf area restoration project.

Jericho Sailing Centre Schools in Session 

 

 

 

Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing and Ocean Kayaking Schools at the Jericho Sailing Centre start tip toeing out of hibernation in April and find their full on sea legs in the month of May. For full Season Pass, Rental or Lesson information and registration click the link below:

 

 

Dinghy Sailing                                                    http://www.macsailing.com/

Windsurfing & Stand Up Paddling              http://www.windsure.com/

Ocean Kayaking                                               http://www.ecomarine.com/

 

Jericho Folk Club Tuesdays in the Surf & Turf

 

Tuesday evenings from from now through September 27 are Jericho Folk Club Nights in the Surf & Turf room of the Jericho Sailing Centre. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy Celtic, singer songwriter, sea shanties, and traditional music.

 

7:30pm Jam Session    8:00pm Open Stage   9:20pm Feature Performer                                

$8.00 Admission                                  

On the water, 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.