This Saturday participants will gather together for a stand-up paddle through BC's best paddleboarding playground. This fun, non-competitive social event will offer exposure for active Vancouverites to the budding sport of stand-up paddleboarding.

Beginning at Jericho Beach, participants will be able to demo several paddleboards offered from the best brands in the sport before departing together at 11:30AM. The group will head on a leisurely 8km paddle along the shoreline towards Marinaside Quay in Yaletown. After taking a short breather at Coopers Park, the group will head on land to Yaletown Brewery for an after-event burger and beverage on one of the best patios in the city before being transported back to Jericho Beach via the Vancouver Trolley Company.

Not just social, you're paddling for a good cause too

Proceeds of Boardstock will go to Surfrider Foundation's Respect the Beach Program. This is an award-winning coastal education program that implements a strategy to teach children and youth the value of our ecosystem, how we can save species, and protect our waters.

 Click here to Register now to be a part of the largest social paddle in Western Canada!

http://boardstockvancouver.com/register.php

The Route

 Almost 5 million people annually transport, work and recreate within a critical 10 minute response radius of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base: the highest concentration of, mixed use, marine traffic in Canada. The Kitsilano Coast Guard Station is the centrally located "fire department and ambulance service" in this area and the relocation to Sea Island, 30 minutes away in south Richmond will most certainly cost lives in the future. Please take a moment to send an email to: 

A) Write To:

Keith Ashfield,  

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans                             Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Copy your local Member of Parliament   

B) Sign on to the Facebook page "Save the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base"   

C) Sign the online petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/department-of-fisheries-and-oceans-keep-the-kitsilano-coast-guard-station-open-2

Thanks to a great crew who helped clean-up the new beach space on June 3.  

The next Jericho Beach Shoreline Clean-up Volunteer Workparty will be on on Sunday, July 1 from 0930H-1130H  

FOOTWEAR MUST BE WORN..      

A fitness class on a paddle board!  Learn to paddle as well as squat, plank and push-up your way to a strong core and toned body this summer. Classes are taught by a certified personal trainer.

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7PM

Boards, paddles, wetsuits and life jackets are provided.

No experience necessary. PFDs must be worn at all times.

For more information, contact Windsure Adventure Watersports (604)224-0615

On June 8th and 9th, the Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films will open its doors at the Vancity Theatre to highlight 10 amazing films focused on the beauty of our oceans, and some of the threats to its health.  During 3 screenings, filmgoers will have the chance to see films from Canada, Ireland, Spain, and the United States.

"Whether viewed through a recreation or conservation lens, it's time to profile the natural capital that is our oceans," said David Labistour , CEO, Mountain Equipment Co-op. "To that end, we are proud to support the 3rd annual Festival of Ocean Films-support that we hope will establish the event as a much-anticipated fixture in the Lower Mainland. From the adrenaline experience of searching for the ultimate wave to the tranquility of viewing bears in the wild from calm waters, these films provide a glimpse into the wonders of our oceans."

In addition to raising interest and awareness of the ocean as a place for positive recreation, sustainable and responsible commerce, and a wilderness to be respected, the Festival is also raising funds for the conservation of our local oceans, with partial proceeds supporting regional charity Georgia Strait Alliance.

"We appreciate the opportunity to partner with The Festival as their efforts to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean to our lives are very much in line with our work in the Georgia Strait region," says Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director, Georgia Strait Alliance. "We hope people will be inspired by these films to become more engaged in protecting our waters because we need everyone to be a 'Steward of the Strait'".

Formed in 2009, The Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films (www.vfof.ca) aimsto inspire and stimulate people to explore their relationship with the ocean by bringing together local and international filmmakers and presenters in a multimedia event and film competition.

Formed in 1990, Georgia Strait Alliance (www.georgiastrait.org) is the only citizens' group working to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait, its adjoining waters and communities, the place where 70% of British Columbians live, work and play.

Program available online. To purchase tickets, please visit www.vfof.ca.

For more information, please contact

  Peter Alfred, Founder, Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films
  peter@vfof.ca

Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director, Georgia Strait Alliance
604- 633-0530 (o)
604-862-7579 (c)