Move over whippersnappers, it's old geezer time for Laser racers as the Jericho Sailing Centre hosts the 2015 Canadian Laser Masters Championship this BC Day long weekend: anyone under 35 need not apply. (however you are most welcome to volunteer on our Race Committee Boat Albatross.). For more info., geriatric your mouse thingy over to: Old Sailors Never Die They Just Get a Little Dinghy 

Or just ask a young person to help you. 

It's not something that started in this generation or the last, or even in the time since British Columbia first boarded the good ship Canada in 1871. As long as people have lived near these sand swept, rock reinforced Pacific Ocean shorelines they have felt an intimate connection with the sea and nowhere is this more apparent today than at the Jericho Sailing Centre.

From the relatively landlocked hub bubs of Toronto, Montreal and other Canadian population centers it's hard for non-Pacific inhabitants of our country to imagine we BC left "Coasters" without sandals, surf shorts, super shades, sunscreen, sun tanned skin and hair blowing in the wind, well bent on a good time at the beach. (Perhaps the leading catalyst for Easterners who jump ship west). On BC Day the beach is where many of us will "be".

If the weather fits the long range forecast for our provincial holiday ( and for the real Jericho junkies even if it doesn't), the waves of English Bay will be streaked with the wakes of a thousand tiny ship trips launched from Jericho Beach out of Vancouver's low cost ocean community centre. The kayak, rowboat, sailing dinghy, windsurfer, stand-up paddleboard, skim board, SUP or other naturally powered craft you command could be among that holiday flotilla.  

This Monday make plans to exercise your "Be Sea" essence. Live it up to the beat of the provincial motto "Splendor without Diminishment", throw on your surf shorts and sandals, slap on some sunscreen and your shades, turn your back to the east with a smile and come celebrate BC Day at the Jericho Sailing Centre. 

Vancouver's biggest & best Stand Up Paddleboard race is coming back to the Jericho Sailing Centre on Saturday, August 15. Travis Grant -two time winner of the Molokai to Oahu SUP Race will be competing and doing a clinic on race day morning. For more information and to register, stand tall and paddle like Canadian Champ Stu Robinson, over to: www.supchallenge.ca 

  "Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink."

Metro Vancouver has activated Stage 3 of the Water Shortage Response Plan. BOAT WASHING IS PROHIBITED and the JSCA is asking all users of the Jericho Sailing Centre to comply.   

For more on this, dribble over to: missing the rain

The second and third nights of the annual Celebration of Light fireworks display run this Wednesday & Saturday over English Bay. If fireworks turn you on, "Celebration" is a perfect accent to three Vancouver mid-summer night eves right in the sweet spot of summer. The fireworks are best viewed from English Bay Beach. Kits Beach offers a next best view with Jericho accommodating the cheap seats - distant view but easier parking and disembarking when the show ends. Seating at the Jericho Patio and Grill is tough to find after 2030H. The rooftop deck will be open to members & their accompanying guests (60 maximum) with security in place to enforce no alcohol or smoking.  Start time 2200H. 

For more information on the Celebration of Light fire up their website at:

http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/

Why make your own mistakes when you can learn from the mistakes of others? Don't challenge Darwin's theory, make sure your water safety knowledge is the fittest it can be. Your survival may well depend upon it. Find the missing links and fill in the gaps in your water safety knowledge by attending a FREE English Bay Safety Seminar August 17 at 1900H RSVP JSCA office.

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation lifeguards at Jericho Beach have asked us to remind users of the Jericho Sailing Centre that all boats must keep clear of the swim area to the east of us. The Park Board has installed new swim area markers to clearly show boaters where they should not be. Recently a swimmer in this area was struck in the head with an oar.

Conversely, there is no swimming or wading permitted in the water adjacent to the Jericho Sailing Centre. The area is well signed but every summer we meet people who don't see the signs or think such rules should not apply to them. If you see such a person please let our office or any Jericho Rescue Team member know.