Jericho Sailing Centre Association

So who’s the “Big Kahuna” on Jericho Beach? Who can swim, run and paddle faster than all of us lesser Kahunas? Two summers ago it was Sabrina Schwanebeck, President of the Jericho Outrigger Canoe Club in the Ladies Division. Last year, long time JSCA and JOCC member Tim Gale and his daughter Chantal “Coco” won the Mixed Doubles Division. Another JSCA member Paul McNamara was on the winning relay team in 2005. Who will it be this year? Sabrina had to settle for second last year; the smart money is on her.

In any event the 7th Annual Jericho Oceanman goes this Sunday at 1000H. This event is the brainchild of our member Gary Parsons who after too many days working at the Jericho Beach Lifeguard Station in the hot sun without a hat, had a vision of a unique ocean adventure race which starts and ends right here at the Jericho Sailing Centre. Fortunately for all the competitors Gary is ineligible for this competition for he is the real “Jericho Oceanman”! For complete event information check out their website or contact Gary at 739-7151; email info@oceanman.ca.

Everyone at Jericho can enjoy the pineapple sweet Hawaiian slide guitar sounds of the Swagmen in the Plaza between 1300-1600H on Sunday and watch one lucky Oceanman contestant win the Grand Draw Prize Flight for 2 to Hawaii.

Canadian Outrigger Championships – Huli-fest 2006 Review

Brilliant sunshine, large swell and 15-18 knot winds highlighted the field of play for the 2006 Canadian Outrigger Championships on Saturday, August 19. The conditions were exceptionally challenging for the OC6’s (six person canoes) and the JOCC Men’s and Ladies crew were relishing their unaccustomed roll as underdogs in a tough competitive field racing on their home field in all it’s turbulent glory. There is an axiom that says: “In racing, there is nothing more pleasurable than seeing disaster strike the boat ahead of you.” This was true in the Women’s division as the JOCC boat was battling hard, hull to ama for second place with a determined Ocean River crew around Passage Island when they suddenly realized that their arch nemesis, the False Creek team, with a seemingly insurmountable two minute lead had “hulied” (capsized). As the Falsies scrambled, swam and sputtered to right, bail and remount their canoe in tempestuous seas the ex-second and third place boats blasted by leaving them to eat their wake. After this point there were several exciting lead changes as the crews shovelled their way through the final 10 kilometres back to Jericho but in the end the home field advantage went to our own JOCC Ladies team. Congratulations to Jan, Colleen, Sabrina, Karen, Leanne and steersperson Wendy Pollock who was once again cajoled out of early retirement to steer the team to victory.

In the Men’s division, JOCC had a long, slim, outside shot to not only win the race but secure the 2006 CORA Championship. The Championship was not really on their minds at all as they would’ve needed to win by a fantastic 4 minute margin over their arch rival False Creek team to win. The teams had been grinding it out all season with False Creek coming into Saturday’s event with a comfortable lead. What happened that day will go down in Jericho Outrigger history as an unlikely David vs Goliath, tortoise vs the hare, epic paddle battle. With their star steersman, Paul McNamara competing abroad, the team called on none other than Gary “Oceanman” Parsons to guide them to victory. With Laci, Mike, Dave, Bob and Stewart churning the sea the Men’s Team not only came in first place but blew the False folks away by 4 minutes to take a one point lead in the overall standings and claim the 2006 CORA Season Championship.

At the end of the day competitors enjoyed an awesome Luau feast prepared by Barry and enjoyed live Hawaiian music, hula dancers and a flame throwing juggler. Hot time.

On Sunday the single and double outrigger canoes and surfskis took to the waters with JOCC paddlers enjoying continued success. Laci took First Place in Men’s OC1. Captain Bob Stewart and crew took 2nd in OC2. Colleen “seems too young to be called a Master” McCarthy took first place in the Ladies Master and JOCC President Sabrina Schwanebeck took second place in Ladies Open Division.

The entire event was a great success and a tribute to the excellent organization of Jan Chavrie and her volunteer crew of JOCC members.

Rooftop Deck Gains Popularity

More and more members have discovered the fabulous view from our new rooftop deck and are taking advantage of it. I’d like to remind members of a couple of simple rules to ensure the enjoyment of all. First of all you are allowed and even encouraged to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages from home or the cafeteria. No alcohol and no smoking are policies we must be strict with-there are signs and we encourage members to point them out to those who may not notice them. We cannot allow barbeques, propane or otherwise, for obvious fire hazard reasons-thank you to the member who asked if she could take her Hibachi up there-sorry the answer is NO. You may BBQ in our picnic area and transport the resulting charred flesh and/or Tofu thingys to the rooftop deck via our posh new elevator should you so choose. We really want members to make use of and enjoy this spectacular new space, we just don’t want you to burn it down.

Volunteer Workparty—Saturday 1000H-1500H
Compound Clean-up
Battle of the Blackberries
Locker Moving

Proposed JSCA Constitutional Bylaw Changes

Since last November the JSCA Board has been working, through their Bylaw Sub-committee Chaired by Past-president Gail Owen, on refining and improving the JSCA Constitutional Bylaws. Committee recommendations were put before the Board for consideration at their August meeting. The JSCA Board encourages all members to familiarize themselves with the proposed changes which are included in the Draft August Board minutes on our website . Your feedback is much appreciated. Special Resolutions for Bylaw changes will be included in the official Notice of AGM which will be mailed to all members in September. The JSCA AGM will be Tuesday, October 24 @ 1900H.

Thursday Nite Paddling Races Aug 24 & 31 @ 1900H Everyone Welcome

As we come near to the end of this season’s Thursday Nite Paddling Program it’s time to thank Jericho Rescue Team Members Gail Owen and Michael Souster for riding shotgun on the Jericho Rescue Boat-thanks for keeping everyone safe. If you participated in the August 17 Thursday Nite Paddling Race and witnessed the incident involving a red sailboat with no mast motoring through the starting area please contact me-thank you.

Sunday Racing @ 1230H

This Sunday Racing will be a little bit different as we will proclaim the winners in each class the Jericho “Dinghy” Oceanman and present our stylish H2O hats to them as we bow in awe.

Tuesday Night Racing @ 1815H

The race nights are getting shorter as the odds get better that we get good wind that holds for an entire Tuesday Night Race. This could be the night, don’t miss it! Many thanks to Jim Quinn, Fred Wu, Tegan Peacock everyone else who has helped make our program the success it is.

Wednesday Windsurfing Tips Sept 6

No windsurfing tips next Wednesday, August 30. We’ll do one last one on September 6 from 1800H-1900H to wrap up the season.

Safety Tip

The area between the Jericho shore and the orange can bouys is a training and transiting zone only please. If you are already trained; if you have already transited, please stay out of this area and play out where the big fish swim.

Hoping yawl have a great week!

Fair winds,

Mike

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