| Ahoy JSCA Members:
Here
is what's "in the wind", coming events and items of
interest at the Jericho Sailing Centre, your ocean access
community centre, for March 6-March 13, 2008 and beyond:
Vancouver Park Board
Public Open House
March 12
Jericho Wharf Project
The
Vancouver Park Board is reviewing options for the demolition
and/or rehabilitation of Jericho Wharf located at Jericho
Beach Park, 3941 Point Grey Road. An open house will
be held to discuss four options, with scheduled implementation
planned between 2009 and 2011.
Wednesday,
March 12 6pm-9pm Presentation at 7pm.West Point Grey
Community Centre 4397 West 2nd Avenue.
For
further information contact Tim Chow, Engineering Assistant
(604) 257-8474
E-mail:
tim.chow@vancouverparks.ca
Website:
www.vancouverparks.ca
The
JSCA encourages its members, especially those who are
citizens of Vancouver, to be involved in this public
process by either attending the meeting or sending an
email voicing your support of improving ocean access
for naturally powered craft.
Over
the past year the JSCA's Board and Planning Committee
have been focused on the possibilities with respect
to the future of the "Jericho Wharf", known to us for
the past 35 years as the "Marginal Wharf" a name passed
on from the original Jericho Air Station. The structure
originally served as a taxi way for seaplanes and flying
boats between their hangers and the wooden launch ramps.
When
Department of National Defense Building 13 and it's
adjoining compound became the Jericho Sailing Centre
in 1974 the Marginal Wharf extended just west of our
current ramp # 3 (third ramp from the west). In the
JSCA's infancy members had to jockey to gain their ocean
access from a much smaller beach space. The fledgling
Jericho Sailing Centre quickly became a splashing success
with many craft funneling in and out of this tightly
restricted area. In 1978 the western portion of the
wharf was demolished to reveal the current beach space
our members cherish. Since that time we've added the
windsurfing and kayaking schools and seen their growth
along with that of our dinghy sailing school rise like
a spring neap tide. (Six thousand landlubbers a year
spill from our shores enrolled in our school programs.)
Our community based club programs and fleets have also
enjoyed rising activity during this time and every year
our launch areas become more and more congested.
The
JSCA Planning Committee spent substantial time over
the past year considering the possibilities for the
future of the area the wharf occupies and what would
be in the best interest of our current and future members.
(Minutes of these meetings are posted under the Planning
section of our website.) Much of the Committee's discussion
ranged beyond the scope of what the Park Board is considering
at this public meeting but we expect to focus only on
the issue scheduled for discussion. The Park Board will
be presenting 4 options for the wharf viewable on their
website www.vancouverparks.ca The JSCA is in
support of Option 1A which is the full removal of the
structure with no seawall. This option will immediately
improve ocean access for paddlers and novice windsurfers
as well as reduce traffic congestion on the water and
the beach in the vicinity of the current Jericho Sailing
Centre shoreline creating a much safer situation for
everyone.
Your
JSCA Board members will be at the meeting conveying
JSCA's support for Option 1A and we look forward to
seeing many members in attendance voicing their support
for improved ocean access for naturally powered craft.
If
you are unable to attend the meeting please take a moment
to E-mail the Park Board's Engineering Assistant, Tim
Chow, tim.chow@vancouver.ca
to let him know that you support Option 1 A. If you
would like any further information from the JSCA please
don't hesitate to contact me.This item will be on the
agenda of next week's
JSCA BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, March 11 @ 1900H
Yoga at Jericho on
Wednesdays
Recalibrate
your flexibility in time for the spring sailing, paddling
and windsurfing season. Beginners welcome 5:15-6:45pm
$5 Drop-in. Vinyasa Flow Yoga.
NOTICE OF POTENTIAL
SERVICE DISRUPTION
The
vinyl flooring on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing
Centre is being replaced. The work will occur between
March 10-21. It will be necessary to close the JSCA
office on Thursday, March 13 and Friday March 14 as
we re-floor this space. During this period we will not
be booking classroom space, however, we will strive
to ensure that members have access to washroom, shower
and change room facilities. There will be times during
weekdays in daytime hours where it may not be possible
to accommodate those who are unable to levitate across
freshly glued areas. We apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause and appreciate the patience and understanding
of our members who, we are sure, will enjoy the new
floor once installation is complete.
2008 JSCA Fees Due
April 1 - Just 3 Weeks Away
A
reminder that your 2008 JSCA Membership and Storage
fees are due April 1, 2008. A late fee of $30 will apply
to fees paid between April 2-30; a $60 late fee will
be applied to late payments received during the month
of May, and after that things go from bad to worse and
your ship could end up on the craggy rocks of our annual
bailiff auction. If you are planning not to store your
craft at the Jericho Sailing Centre this year please
ensure that you vacate by March 31 and notify the JSCA
office so we may bring boats in from our waiting list.
Also, please remember to take the time to complete the
membership survey. Your feedback helps us better serve
the needs of JSCA members.
2008 JSCA Racing
Schedule Gets Underway in April
Penguin Cup
April 13 @ 1230H
Flights of Spring
Regatta
April 19 & 20
CYA Race Management
Program at Jericho
Level
1 -- Tuesday, April 1
7:00 pm till 10:00 pm
- Suitable
for those who want to serve on a club race committee.
- Introduction
to sailboat racing, basic race signals and procedures.
- No
experience required.
- Cost
$15, which includes a copy of our new CYA book "Join
the Race Committee" Register by calling 604 224-4177
by Friday, March 28.
Level
2 -- Thursday, April 3 -- Tuesday April 8 -- Thursday,
April 10
7:00 pm till 10:00 pm
- Suitable
for those who want to serve as a Race Officer leading
a club race committee.
- Notice
of Race and Sailing Instructions, starting lines,
course layout, start sequences,
- flags
and signals, control of races underway, finishes.
- Experience
as a member of a race committee or as a racing sailor
is important.
- Cost
$65, which includes a copy of the CYA Race Management
Manual Register by calling 604 224-4177 by Wednesday,
April 2
These
courses are provided by the race management committee
of BC Sailing.
For further information, please call John Culter
at 604 742-8832.
Outrigger Canoe Paddling
Development Program
The
Jericho Outrigger Canoe Club has been a fixture at the
Jericho Sailing Centre since 1993. These magnificent
hulls glide through the chop of English Bay as smoothly
as silk propelled by teams of 6 paddlers. If you've
ever wondered what it's like on board here is your chance
to find out: sign up for the Canadian Outrigger Racing
Association's Outrigger Paddling Development Program
for an introduction to the fundamentals of outrigger
paddling and steering. The program goes every Saturday
April 12 to May 17, and, if you choose, a seat in the
Jericho Iron Classic race on May 24. Times are 1000H-1200H.
Registration is $50 and includes your 2008 CORA membership.
For more info or to register contact jerichoinfo@googlegroups.com (I can
tell you from a sailor's point of view, paddling in
a 6 person outrigger canoe is a great rush!)
JSCA Volunteer Workparties
March 8 & 9
Compound Spring Clean-up 1000H
March 15
Rack Building & Boat Moving 0900H
March 29
Painting 0900H
April 5Painting 0900H
West Nile Tires R
Us
The
impending spread of the West Nile Virus in the Vancouver
area has prompted the JSCA to reflect upon the 200-300
tires in the Jericho Sailing Centre compound used to
store boats on. West Nile is a mosquito borne virus
and stagnant water contained in discarded tires is a
favoured breeding ground for the little bloodsuckers.
There are many other craft support storage options including
foam blocks which could be provided by JSCA at a reasonable
cost. The JSCA will pursue a policy to phase out the
use of discarded tires in the Jericho Sailing Centre
compound within the next year. Members are asked to
refrain from bring new old tires into the compound and
find other means of storing your ground craft. Tires
which are no longer in use may be brought to the area
beside the dumpsters at the main entrance where the
JSCA will take steps to discard them offsite.
JSCA OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
(Next Meeting March 18 @ 1900H)
The
agenda will include ongoing discussion of the energy
study conducted on the Jericho Sailing Centre this past
fall. Discussion will also continue around the 2008
Jericho Sailing Centre Compound Development plan.
JSCA Office Hours
March
Hours 0930H-1630H Weekdays. 0900H-1700H Weekends. Gates
open at 0700H and are locked at Dusk. (approx. 1805H/1905H
after Sunday).
Join the Jericho
Rescue Team
The
Jericho Rescue Team is looking for experienced sailors,
windsurfers, paddlers and rowers who are interested
in developing their seamanship and water safety skills,
and are willing to volunteer to assist their fellow
boaters. The Jericho Rescue Team provides safety and
rescue support for all on-water events facilitated by
the JSCA. This year our Rescue Team members will provide
rescue coverage for the over 90 on-water event days
on our 2008 events calendar. Qualified candidates can
sign up for the Jericho Rescue Team Training Course
which will be conducted on April 26 & 27. We provide
training in water safety and seamanship, Boathandling,
boat rescue and first aid. Course graduates must complete
ongoing Rescue Team training including the Pleasure
Craft Operators Certification, VHF Radio Licence, emergency
first aid and CPR Certification (all provided). If you
are interested please contact me in the Jericho office
to discuss your qualification for this program.
On the Water, Your
Safety is Your Responsibility
As
we move to Daylight Savings this Sunday the opportunities
to spend leisure time on the water will increase-the
water temperature, however, will not. Please remember
that launching in Vancouver winter conditions requires
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.
Fair
winds,
Mike |
