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, for March 14-21, 2008 and beyond:
Jericho Sailing Centre - Ocean Access Denied? YOU Decide.
Since 1974, the body of water bordered by the Jericho
Pier to the west; the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club break
water to the east: the line of orange can bouys to the
north, and the western portions of Jericho Beach (including
the one still guarded by the former DND Marginal Wharf)
to the south, has been a training and transiting area
for Vancouverites who wish to enjoy their marine environment,
naturally. Many legions of landlubbers have been transformed
in these waters since the decommissioning of DND Jericho
Beach. In recent years more than six thousand annually
come here to experience first hand the lure of the sea
for the initial time in kayaks, windsurfers and sailing
dinghies.
The bridge, the tunnel, the intersection, on ramp, logjam,
entry and exit point to this body of water and beyond
has been the western most portion of Jericho beach directly
in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre and traffic congestion
at peak periods is reaching gridlock. 160,000 launches
(and landings) occur on this small stretch of beach
each year.
Rush hours here have hundreds of people in a variety
of craft going in a multitude of different directions,
crossing wakes, skippered by experts and novices alike.
Demand for ocean access is growing and will continue
to grow. Safety is a key consideration for facilitating
current and future demand for ocean access.
In 1978 60% of the original Marginal Wharf was removed
to improve ocean access from the Jericho Sailing Centre.
Vancouver's population has grown immensely since that
time along with the demand for ocean access. The Vancouver
Board of Parks and Recreation is asking for public feedback
on 4 options developed by their consultants to deal
with the remaining section of the deteriorating wharf.
For complete details on these options click:
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/info/planning/jerichomarginalwharf/index.htm
The JSCA is strongly in favour of option 1A, the removal
of the wharf and the reinstatement of the foreshore
to it's natural state. This would allow for immediate
access to paddlers and paddling programs with a launch
area protected by the rock groyne. Novice windsurfers
would also benefit by not having the groyne immediately
to the lee of their launch area. All Jericho Sailing
Centre users would benefit by reduced congestion on
the beaches and spreading out the traffic leaving and
returning to the shore. Future development will also
allow for improved ocean access for people with disabilities.
This is a very important opportunity in the evolution
of the Jericho Sailing Centre, which will allow us to
keep pace with current and future demand for recreational
opportunities for people in small, naturally powered
craft.
YOU, the JSCA members reading this, need to take action
right now with that mouse in your hand. Don't use some
apathetic excuse or pull an "I'm too busy right now,
I'll do it later" - you're a paddler. Or a sailor. Or
a windsurfer! You carry your kayak to and from the shore;
hoof your Hobie up the beach; right your capsized sailing
dinghy; jump your Windsurfer off English Bay waves;
or paddle your outrigger there and back, uphill both
ways-you throw yourself into the sea and like it; you
CAN take two minutes to voice your opinion, preserve
and enhance your ocean access, then get right back to
that rat race that is your life between your sessions
in Vancouver's largest, and saltiest playground. Once
you're back on pace in your routine you won't even give
it a second thought until the next time a seagull floats
by on the wind above you and you savour your existence
in nature from your small silent craft in the middle
of the ocean surrounded by the most beautiful city in
the world, knowing that these moments release your soul
- the precious antidote for treadmill-itis. The
JSCA was created and continues to operate and evolve
from the input of our members, please take two minutes
to contribute a few clicks of your mouse to your ocean
access community centre.
Your Opinions:
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/feedback/jerichowharf.shtml
Jericho Wharf Public Meeting
There were about 70 people at the March 12 Park Board
Public Meeting to consider the 4 options with respect
to the wharf including 10 JSCA Board members and an
additional 20 current and former members.
As expected, many people voiced their opinion that the
wharf is an important feature of Jericho Beach Park
and the goal should be to find some way to preserve
all or a portion of the rapidly deteriorating structure.
Our members spoke well in favour of Option 1A, removing
the wharf and reinstating the foreshore to it's natural
state, to improve ocean access for the people of Vancouver.
One item that everyone seemed to agree on is that there
is a need to recognize the historical significance of
Jericho Beach Park as the former Department of National
Defense Base Jericho Beach as well as the Jericho Beach
Air Station. One of our members mentioned that even
though he was a long time resident of the area, he only
became aware of the history of the area after becoming
a JSCA member and hearing about it through our organization.
Everyone in attendance was given a survey to complete
to measure public opinion with respect to the 4 options
presented. The survey is also online on the Park Board
website for the next 2 weeks and we are asking our members
show their support of ocean access for small, naturally
powered craft by participating.
The survey asks respondents to rank the options they
favour from 1-4 (first to worst). For us the first choice
is easy as our Planning Committee and Board spent the
past year considering it: Option 1A-complete removal
of the marginal wharf with the beach left in a semi-natural
state.
The second choice would be 1B: complete removal with
an "urbanizing" seawall- an option that was roundly
pooh-poohed at the meeting but would facilitate our
contemplated future development for a small dock to
improve access for disabled programs better than the
remaining two.
The third choice would be option 3: retaining a portion
of the east end of the structure. We could access the
majority of the beach space but it would be a "catch
all" for novice windsurfers and would limit our options
for future development ie: once we accommodate DSA dockspace
needs, there would be less beach available for other
ocean access.
The forth option would be number 4: the complete retention
and rehabilitation of the Marginal Wharf.
Tired of Mosquitos? April is Tire Exchange Month
At their monthly meeting this past week the JSCA Board
moved to accelerate a policy to phase out the use of
discarded tires in the Jericho Sailing Centre compound
within the next year. As of now NO TIRES MAY BE BROUGHT
INTO THE JERICHO SAILING CENTRE COMPOUND. In April,
members who currently store their craft on tires may
trade these tires to the JSCA for foam blocks at no
cost to them. The tires will be collected by the JSCA
under the BC Tire Stewardship Program and sent for recycling.
Members are asked to help us rid the compound of tires,
a breeding ground for mosquitos which could potentially
spread the West Nile Virus, as soon as possible. While
we prefer not to tamper with boats stored on tires,
any tires remaining under boats after the end of April
may be removed by volunteer workparties.
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 JSCA office will
be closed until Tuesday March 18 as we re-floor this
space. We hope to complete this project by the end of
next week and 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 2 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
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.
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 15
Rack Building & Boat Moving 0900H
March 29
Painting 0900H
April 5 Painting
0900H
April 12 & 13 Boat
Wash Weekend
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
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
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