Jericho Sailing Centre Association

Sept. 29, 2016
                                                  
in the wind
Ahoy Vancouver Ocean Lovers: 
   
  
Here is what's "in the wind"; coming events and items of interest at the Jericho Sailing Centre, Vancouver's Ocean Community Centre, for September 29, 2016 and beyond:
  
In This Issue
Longboat Safety
Winter Launch Log
Safety Notice
Volunteer & Race Awards
Notice of AGM
Safety Your Responsibility
Join our Mailing List!
UBC REC Day of the Longboat      THIS WEEKEND October 1 & 2
Some say the ancient human settlement at Jericho was called E'eyoughmough. Long before the Jericho Sailing Centre, the Jericho Beach Air Station or Jerry's Cove logging operation; long before the fresh water stream flowing into the tidal estuary below the south shore's old growth Douglas Fir forest was noted in Captain George Vancouver's log; before 3,000 years of tides washed in and out of our ocean inlet under the mountains, human hands first connected to paddles here and began a long history of shoveling the Salish Sea into their wake.


This weekend Jericho celebrates our continuing, longstanding relationship with the paddle, as 3,500 participants pick one up for the 2016 UBC REC Day of the Longboat. The Jericho Sailing Centre, Vancouver's Ocean Community Centre, has hosted the UBC "Day of the Longboat" for more than a quarter of a century and we welcome everyone to come view this spectator friendly, ocean playground, community event on October 1 & 2 (0830-1600H). You will witness an invigoratingly unique, very large, slightly loud, Salish Sea, celebration of the paddle; our soul connection to Vancouver's most ancient community. Your ocean spirit, will be lifted.

For more info on Day of the Longboat, paddle over to:  http://www.recreation.ubc.ca/intramurals/events/day-of-the-longboat/   
 
 
THIS WEEKEND
Day of the Longboat - Please Keep a Sharp Lookout
A pair of Lasers carefully depart shore between
Day of the Longboat starts 
The Day of the Longboat takes place on Saturday 0830-1730H and on Sunday 0930-1630H. The 8-boat heats will start from the shore between ramps #2 & #3 every 5 minutes or so and return to the shore between ramps #1 & #2 after completing their 2 km round trip to and from Jerry's Cove east of the Jericho Sailing Centre. It is important to pay close attention when launching and approaching the shore to ensure you don't become part of the race. Members of the Jericho Rescue Team will be stationed on the water and on the shore to assist anyone transiting the race area. Please heed their advice and be extra vigilant when transiting the area.     
Winter Launch Log      





Members who launch from the Jericho Sailing Centre at this time of year are encouraged to stop in at the Jericho office and fill out the Winter Launch Log which outlines your float plan to let people here know you are out there.

 
Safety Notice - Don't Get Caught Out in the Dark

These sailors were lucky to have been spotted by Jericho Rescue after sunset with no wind & NO paddle!                               Photo: Brian Evans 


If wind fuels your craft, you must be aware of the time of sunset as the wind frequently shuts off abruptly within the last hour of daylight. Sailing dinghies are required by law to carry a paddle for this very purpose. Never sail further away from Jericho in the evening than you would like to paddle. Today's sunset is at 1854H and we lose a couple of minutes of daylight each day. 

Penguin Cup Racing Series 


Penguin Cup Racing   Series
October 9, 16 & 23
1230H      
    
To register for                   
Penguin Cup 
Racing Series
tack over to:
 
  
Racing Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

All members are invited to attend the annual JSCA Racing Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, October 23 at 1700H. Tickets are $10 and available in the JSCA office up until Saturday, October 22. 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 2016 and haven't yet received your invitation please contact the JSCA office.
   
Have your Say: Vancouver Beach & Pool Survey      
 
VanSplash Aquatics Strategy
Growing population and tourism means our beaches and pools are more popular than ever.
To address demand, the Vancouver Park Board is launching VanSplash, a 10-month public conversation on the future of Vancouver's pools and beaches over the next decade.
VanSplash will look at renewing aging facilities and will explore innovative options like a pop-up pool, natural outdoor pools, and ocean-based swimming. For more information and to take the survey, shore break over to:
VanSplash Survey 
 
Notice of AGM
Jericho Sailing Centre Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, October 25 at 1900H
The Jericho Sailing Centre Association's 43rd Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 1900H in the English Bay Room of the Jericho Sailing Centre, 1300 Discovery Street, Vancouver, B.C. The 2015/2016 J.S.C.A. Board and Committees will report on their accomplishments this past year and the challenges for the future. Please plan to attend and participate in the future direction of your ocean access community centre.
Call for Nominations
Voting will take place to elect seven members for a two-year term to our 15 member Board of Directors.The J.S.C.A. Board meets once a month to set policy and determine Jericho's direction. Interested members who have time and expertise to offer are invited to submit a letter indicating their experience and areas of interest to the J.S.C.A. Nominations Committee c/o the Jericho office no later than 1700H, Tuesday, October 11.   The signed nomination letter must include your name, address and telephone number.   For additional information contact Mike Cotter, J.S.C.A. General Manager 224-4177 or email mike@jsca.bc.ca.
 
SAFETY NOTICE: Your PFD - It won't Work if You Don't Wear It  
Wear it Like a Pro! MacSailing instructors model their most important piece of equipment for teaching on the water. PFD designs continuously evolve to provide greater comfort, flexibility and safety for active users.
 
"In order to work, proper lifesaving equipment must be worn at all times. Believing that you can locate, don and fasten a PFD in the water is dangerous for many reasons; adverse wind and wave conditions can make this extremely difficult, if not impossible; you could unexpectedly fall into water and the vessel (with the PFD aboard) could be unreachable; and, cold water can severely impede your ability to don and fasten a PFD in the water.
Never underestimate the protection a flotation device can afford you. It is called lifesaving equipment for a reason."  
Transport Canada Marine Safety

For more information on PFD's paddle over to: Wear Your PFD 
 
Why JSCA Does NOT Recommend Inflatable Belt Pack PFD's

Inflatable Belt pack PFD's have become popular with some paddlers as they meet Transport Canada's minimum requirement for a PFD, yet they may be completely useless to you just when you need them the most. The Jericho Sailing Centre Association has always been a strong advocate and recommends the wearing of properly fitting, approved personal flotation devices in good condition, for all of our users - we do NOT recommend the use of Inflatable Belt Pack PFD's for the following reasons:   
 
1. Not inherently buoyant - when worn normally they provide no flotation at all. 
JSCA Safety Officer Mike Wang demonstrates the belt pack inflatable PFD
2. Require manual inflation and positioning - in order to become an effective flotation device they must first be re-positioned from back to front, manually inflated, and pulled over your head. If you are injured or incapacitated - a situation where you need a PFD the most - you may not be able to perform these functions.  
3. Not approved for high speed, high impact activities - TC's Safe Boating Guide states that "Kiteboarders and sailboarders should not wear a lifejacket or PFD that is fitted with an automatic
After positioning it in front a toggle is tugged to inflate.
inflator." recognizing that someone involved in a high impact might not be able to activate it. Yet even the slowest of SUPers can be involved in a high impact collision with another craft and be left in dire straits with no effective PFD.
4. Requires constant care and maintenance - Leak and oral valve tests are required at the beginning of each season and a minimum of every 2 months during the season. When the CO2 cylinder begins to show signs of rusting it must be replaced. How
Pulling it over the head was more difficult than expected
many inflatable belt pack users are following the maintenance requirements? In a salt water environment, how many are trusting their lives to rusty cylinders? Flotation equipment that is in poor condition is not considered approved by Transport Canada. 
SAFETY NOTICE: Racing on English Bay
 
Operators of vessels on English Bay should be aware that sail racing takes place regularly throughout the summer south of the anchored ships on English Bay. Notwithstanding collision regulations which must be adhered to at all times, we draw your attention to:

Rule 5  Look-out
 
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

An organized race, with fleets of sailboats, racing around a course marked by inflatable buoys is a "circumstance" that vessel operators should be on the lookout for. Jericho Sailing Centre Association conducts racing programs in this area every Tuesday evening from 1815H - just before sunset. In addition, events are conducted by us every Sunday at various times and quite frequently on Saturdays. Telltale signs, in addition to fleets of sailboats, include the Albatross anchored away from her regular mooring just off Jericho Beach and bright yellow and orange race marks which indicate course parameters. While vessels may transit race courses it is advisable not to loiter in the area and keep a sharp lookout to avoid vessels that are racing.

Our neighbours at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club run weekly racing on Wednesday evenings between 1800-2030H and are also frequently out on weekends.  Other local sailing organizations also conduct racing events on English Bay.

To view the Collision Regulations, crash over to: Collision Regs 

You must be on the lookout for more than just sail racing in English Bay. Recently this inattentive windsurfer found himself right in the middle of 80 SUP's during the Vancouver SUP Challenge. 
 
 
Dogs at the Jericho Sailing Centre
 
This unhappy dog was very vocal about being left tied to the main ocean gate post for half an hour while his owner enjoyed ice cream at the Galley. Other Centre users did not enjoy his music.
Did you know that dogs are not supposed to be tied up and left in public places? There must be a competent person on the other end of the leash; a post or other object does not qualify. Over the years some people have actually left their dogs tied up on shore at the Jericho Sailing Centre and gone out on the water. Unhappy dogs have vocalized their abandonment sentiments and that adversely affects the right to enjoyment of others. Recently a passerby was bitten by a such a dog while the owner was out on the water. In future, dogs left abandoned on shore will be reported to Vancouver Animal Control. People who need to tether their dogs for short periods: washroom visits, lunch at the Galley, etc are asked to not leave their dog unattended for long periods and tether them in such away as to not inhibit normal use of the Centre-such as: rescue boat trailers, base of stairs, launch winch, etc. Please be considerate of other users and understand, if your dog is vocally unhappy you are infringing upon the rights of others to enjoy our facility. Dogs, even leashed dogs, are not permitted on the beach or in the Jericho Sailing Centre building.

For more information on Dog Owner Training, woof over to: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/dog-training-booklet-rex-in-the-city.pdf
*If you do launch with your favourite sea dog please remember to outfit her/him with a properly designed PFD.

2016 Jericho Sailing Centre Event Schedule

The 2016 JSCA event schedule is now up on our website Google Calendar at:

http://jsca.bc.ca/events

 

Service Hours @ Jericho

The Jericho Galley Patio and Grill is open 0900H-Sunset on weekends, and 1100H- Sunset on weekdays, weather permitting.

 

The JSCA Office will be open everyday 0930-1900H. 

 

Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette 
 

Common sense and consideration of fellow members and other users help make the Jericho Sailing Centre a true community centre with a friendly salt water community atmosphere. Here are a few etiquette reminders to keep things sailing along smoothly:

 

  • No Alcohol is permitted within the Jericho Sailing Centre other than that served by the Jericho Galley Patio & Grill or by a duly authorized affiliated club with a Special Occasion Permit. At no time is alcohol permitted outside of a licensed area.                   
  • Do not leave your craft unattended on the shoreline for extended periods - share the shore.                          
  • RAMPS, and the areas adjacent to launching ramps, are for craft launch/retrieval only. Do not rig, repair or otherwise loiter in this area.
  • Do not leave or rig your craft in the rinsing areas adjacent to hosing stations. 
  • The Jericho Sailing Centre is a SMOKE FREE facility. There is No Smoking permitted in any Vancouver Park or beach area.
  • Give pathway users the right of way and bear in mind they may be distracted and not aware that you are crossing the pathway with your craft or launch rope.
  • launch dollys are for launching/retrieval only (not for storage) and must be returned to the fence immediately after use.
  • if you launch from your own dolly or trailer return it to your storage spot after launching-do not leave dollys on the beach.
  • do not use the winches unless you are familiar with their safe operation. Winch instruction is available from staff or Jericho Rescue Team members. Only members or registered guests may use winches & dollies.
  • only leashed, well behaved dogs are allowed in the compound, no dogs are allowed in the building or on the deck. Do not tie dogs to the base of stairwells or in other traffic areas. Do not leave your dog onshore while you are on the water. The City prohibits dogs on beaches. In consideration of other Jericho users please consider leaving your dog at home while visiting the Jericho Sailing Centre.
  • Please coil hoses immediately after use and conserve water.
  • Do not block aisle ways.
  • Rinse racks are for rinsing not drying.
  • Swimming is prohibited in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre.
  
SAFETY is Your Responsibility
On the ocean there are elements of risk that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Regardless of how you decide to use the ocean always show courtesy to others. Please adhere to the code listed below and share with others the responsibility for a safe ocean experience. 

 
It is every member's responsibility to know and observe the rules of the road when on or near the water. Here are some key rules which every Jericho member must know and practice.

0.5 IT IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID A COLLISION 
1. Always wear your P.F.D. on the water.
2. Sail powered craft have the right of way over power craft, paddle and rowing powered craft.
3. All non-commercial vessels shall keep well clear of commercial vessels.
4. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to pass between a tug and it's tow.
5. A port tack sailing vessel shall keep clear of a starboard tack vessel.
6. A windward vessel shall keep clear of a leeward vessel.
7. A vessel clear astern shall keep clear of a vessel ahead.
8. Any vessel overtaking another shall keep clear.
9. A vessel tacking or gybing shall keep clear of a vessel on a tack.
10.The area south of the orange can buoys is for training or transiting only.
11.Swimming or wading on the beach in front of the Centre is prohibited and is particularly dangerous for small children.
12.It is unsafe to loiter or let children play near the bottom of launching ramps.
13. Stay well clear of the end of the Jericho Pier as fishers cast lines as far as possible
14. Be cautious of pathway traffic when launching/retrieving
15. Do not leave your craft on the shoreline for extended periods of time
Common sense goes a long way toward maintaining a safe environment. Membership in the Jericho Sailing Centre Association is contingent on members knowing and observing the Safe Ocean Sailing rules.
  
Surf Our Website
For much more information about the Jericho Sailing Centre and all of the programs, services and facilities we provide, surf over to: http://www.jsca.bc.ca/
 
Links to previous issues