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Jericho Sailing Centre Association
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June 17, 2009
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Ahoy JSCA Members:
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Here is what's "in the wind". Upcoming events and
items of interest to the 3,500 members of the JSCA
and the many other users of the Jericho Sailing Centre.
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THIS WEEKEND - Pacific NW Cat Herd Prowls Jericho
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For
the past 9 lives or so the Jericho Sailing Centre has
been one of the favourite stops on the Pacific Northwest
Hobie Cat Racing circuit. The discerning crews that
infest the cats of this spirited international fleet
love to feast on the coastal mountain view, scratch
their wake with hull flying pounces over Vancouver's
idyllic seascape, whisker their fully battened Mylar
sails with superior slinky stealth through the mid-June
Pacific Ocean air currents and at the end of the days,
cat fancy flop their spent hull bottoms on the kitty
litter fine sands of Jericho Beach. Who says Vancouver
isn't a sailor friendly city? Who says cats are afraid
of the water?
The catamaran's original litter was born on the southern
coast of India sailing the fleets of the ancient Tamil
Choa dynasty to their catfight invasions of Burma, Indonesia
and Malaysia in the 5th century AD. From there the cat
roamed to Polynesia where cross beam "akas" joined twin
hull "amas" and the rest of the sailing world began
to think outside the box of traditional mono-hulled
weight distribution and into the "ran right up the tree"
realm of leveraged multi-hulled geometry. A higher sail
area to weight ratio combined with the advantage of
wider beam stability made cats faster and multi-hulled
sailboats multiplied and expanded throughout the world
over the centuries, always viewed as "way out there"
outcasts in the traditional sailing world. (and why
not? When they are hiking out on that flying windward
hull, they are indeed "way out there")
California surfer Hobie Alter altered water faring feline
history in the mid-1960's when he introduced a mass-produced
fiberglass beach catamaran, a poor man's racing "yacht"
that was easily transportable and thus purringly friendly
for sailor folk with an itch to get together and travel-the
Hobie Cat revolutionized catamaran sailing everywhere.
Since those early Hobie times, the Stone Age of Alter,
the Pacific Northwest Hobie Cat caravans have made the
annual pilgrimage to and from circuit venue's throughout
Washington State and Oregon, and of course, the Jericho
Sailing Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
At this weekend's Jericho Classic Hobie Regatta the
latest generation Hobie Tigers will join the splashing,
lashing, frenzied fray in a 3 ring circus of talented
cat sailing skill. These egg shell fragile, super light
highly tuned, high performance, cat gut wind and wave
instruments in the weathered hands of a Maestro Skipper
and crew, will burn around the sail race course like
a steroid juiced kitten after a bouncing wet ball of
yarn.
Hobie Fleet #214 and the Jericho Sailing Centre Association's
regatta management team are prepared to face the ferocious
feline competition this weekend with fearless confidence
and courage because they know that, unlike most others,
with a few well placed race marks and precisely measured
sound signals, these cats are relatively easy to herd.
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THERE
WILL BE NO REGULAR SUNDAY RACING THIS REGATTA WEEKEND
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There will be no regular Sunday Racing this weekend
as the Jericho Sailing Centre hosts the 2009 Jericho
Hobie Classic Regatta, but just to make you mon-hull
racers feel better we've included this picture of
the recent Jericho Classic Regatta taken by Jericho
Rescue Team member Rob Murota.
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Whistle Stop - English Bay Safety Seminar
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The JSCA office set a new sales (sails?) record for safety whistles over this week
after members were alerted to the importance of carrying a whistle in last week's
"in the wind". We don't sell serrated
edge knives but did you know that every sailor should carry one? (the preferred
knife of choice for the Jericho Rescue Team members is the Leatherman). Come to the English Bay Safety
Seminar this Monday, June 22 at 1900H and find out why.
Skippers are completely responsible for their
safety and that of their crew when out on the water. If your knowledge is
lacking here is your chance to fill in the gaps. The English Bay Safety Seminar
is based on the "sea disasters" experienced in English Bay over the last 35
years as written in the logs of the Jericho Rescue Team. RSVP JSCA Office
(604)224-4177.
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SAFETY NOTICE - Beware of Jericho Pier Fishers!
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Last week a JSCA member's young crew was almost hit by a crab
trap flung from the Jericho Pier as she sailed by at what she thought was a
safe distance. While it is shocking to
think that some chowderhead would actually target passing boats for sport, this is not the first
time it has happened. As the Jericho
Pier is a very popular fishing location we recommend users of the Jericho
Sailing Centre stay at least 50 M from the end of it.
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Alcohol and Seawater do not Mix
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There are some members who think it's ok to bring their own
alcohol to the Jericho Sailing Centre - it is not. The Jericho Sailing Centre is a city owned
public facility managed by the non-profit Jericho Sailing Centre Association in
co-operation with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. The only alcohol
permitted by law at the Jericho Sailing Centre is served under the JSCA's
license under the contracted management of the Jericho Galley Patio &
Grill. From time to time the JSCA authorizes affiliated groups to serve alcohol
at their social functions for their members and guests only under Special
Occasion Licenses in full compliance with the law.
The purpose of alcohol accessibility at our ocean access
community centre is to augment the social aspects of après sailing/paddling/rowing activity. Nothing washes the salt off
of your tonsils better than an ice cold glass of golden nectar, or goes down
with a Vancouver sunset better than a glass of Galley wine. For those who are French challenged, après is after, and that is where the emphasis of intended purpose must be
placed. Alcohol affects Skippers of watercraft the same way it affects drivers
on the road, impairing judgment, dexterity and reflexes. But alcohol goes much
further in working against the Skippers and crew of watercraft making them much
more susceptible to hypothermia and sapping their strength and energy.
For those who weren't aware of this, now you are. For those
who are aware but choose to ignore this, you are breaking the law, and your
selfish actions could jeopardize JSCA's Liquor License, our agreement with the
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and undermine the overall prevailing
safety attitude of the Jericho Sailing Centre community. JSCA Staff, volunteers
and concerned members will be keeping an eye out for the small few who would
abuse the Jericho Sailing Centre at the expense of everyone else.
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World Police & Fire Games Looking for a few more Lasers
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Thank you to the twenty-five members have already volunteered the
use of their Lasers for participants in the World Police and Fire Games August
5-7, 2009. We are still a few boats short. If you have a Laser in good
condition you are willing to lend to one of these heroes please let me know.
The 2009 World Police & Fire Games is open to
full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, border and customs officers
and corrections guards from around the world. These emergency services athletes
are coming to British Columbia to compete in the 13th World Police
& Fire Games in a celebration of community, camaraderie, friendship and
athletic competition.
We are looking to secure boats a few more Lasers for the
sailing competition at the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. We are asking local
owners of Lasers in good condition to lend us your Laser for 5 days (August 3 -
7) for the Games athletes. The 2009 WPFG Games are prepared to offer you a $200
honorarium and two complimentary tickets to the "Concert in the Park" at
Burnaby's Deer Lake Park on August 3, featuring a salmon barbeque and
world-renowned musical talent, for the use of your boat for the competition.
Most competitors will bring sail, rudder and lines, so we
are asking you to provide the hull, centreboard and spars. The boats need to be at Jericho Sailing
Centre by Monday, August 3, and will be
returned to you after sailing ends, Friday evening, August 7. There will be a
qualified shipwright at the event to deal with small repairs if necessary, and
will ensure your boat is clean and tidy when we return it at the end of the
event.
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World Police & Fire Games- Volunteer Meeting
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There will be a meeting for JSCA members willing to help
out with on-shore logistics to support the Laser Regatta of the World Police
and Fire Games August 5-7 at the Jericho Sailing Centre. The meeting will be
next Tuesday, June 23 at 1700H. If you are unable to attend the meeting but
would still like to volunteer please contact me via return email.
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Send us Your Jericho Photos
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We are always on the lookout for photos of interest
for our newsletters and website. If you have some
please send them along like Lieutenant (Navy) Andrew
Kerr who sent us this one of Sea Cadets involved in
the Navy League of Canada Regatta held last weekend
at the Jericho Sailing Centre.
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Member Special Nights in the Sailor's Lounge
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Wednesdays are Member Special Nights in the Jericho Sailing
Centre Sailor's Lounge from 1700-2200H. Come out and enjoy a weekly food
special and a 16 oz Galley Patio Lager for only $10.99 + taxes. The
Galley Patio & Grill is also offering a 16 oz glass of Galley Patio
Lager on its own for 4.39 + taxes. These are substantially
discounted prices, and are exclusively available to members. (No
substitutions, only available in the Lounge, Member Card Required).
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Support Disabled Sailing and Enjoy Fine French Dining
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Jericho sailors Laurent and Valerie Devin are inviting your
taste buds to support the Disabled Sailing Association of BC located here at
the Jericho Sailing Centre. Five percent of their Bistrot Bistro Tuesday night
restaurant sales in the month of June will be donated to the DSA. For more info.
Navigate your fork over to http://www.bistrotbistro.com/index2.html and Bon Appetite!
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Coach's Clinic with Dave Thomas - Tuesday June 30
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Former Canadian Olympic Sailing Team Coach and
MacSailing School Co-owner Dave Thomas will conduct his 3rd Annual
JSCA Coaching Clinic on Tuesday, June 30. There will be a pre-race Skipper's
Meeting at 1730H. First start will be 1815H. Races will be videotaped and we'll
all come back to the Burrard Room for an extensive photogenic debrief and to
buy the Coach beers.
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Volunteer Work Parties - June 27 & 28 @ 1000H
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We are looking for volunteers to help out with various work
projects at the Jericho Sailing Centre including picnic table repair, painting
and blackberry removal.
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Upcoming JSCA Meetings
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Operations Committee June 24 @ 1900H
JSCA Board July13 at 1900
Safety Committee Meeting July 20 @ 1900H
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