Jericho Sailing Centre AssociationAugust 16, 2012
       
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' Ocean Access Community Centre, for August 16, 2012 and beyond:
 
In This Issue
SOS Stephen Harper
Jericho Oceanman
Vancouver SUP Race
Kayak for a Cure
Thursday Paddling Races
Safety Your Responsibility
Join our Mailing List!

THIS SATURDAY @ Jericho 

      Club Locarno Open Water Regatta                                               

 Club Locarno welcomes all paddlers and rowers to join them this Saturday, August 18 for the 3rd Annual Club Locarno Open Water Regatta at the Jericho Sailing Centre; fun events for paddlers, rowers, SUPers and all skill levels.
 

On site will be demonstration models of Rowing Shells, kayaks and surf ski's available for all members to try.  

 
 
To be followed by a BBQ and beer garden in the afternoon. For more information and to register, stroke over to: INFO
Sunday Racing THIS WEEKEND @ 1230H 

Kitsilano Coast Guard Station Closure Update

Do You Think Canadian Lives are Worth a Nickel a Head?

Come to the Public Rally to Save Kits Coast Guard Station

Within a 30 minute response radius of Vancouver's Kitsilano Coast Guard Station,
there are more than 20 million human ocean transits annually. Kits Station is centrally located in Canada's busiest waterway and its crews have been saving lives in peril for 50 years.

If you are a local ocean recreationalist; a fisher; seabus passenger; BC Ferry or Harbour Air passenger; a tourist in our Super Natural marine playground, or one of tens of thousands of commercial marine workers in the Vancouver Harbour area, you should be very concerned that the federal Conservative government is planning to close Canada's busiest Coast Guard Station to "save" $900,000.

In Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield's Conservative government world, closing Kitsilano Coast Guard Station is "fiscally responsible". In our maritime world, less than a nickel a head is a pretty reasonable insurance premium to safeguard against marine disaster in Canada's busiest ocean area. The Canadian Coast Guard's own statistics reveal that this is an ill conceived, Ottawa landlubber generated, sinking plan which will ultimately result in loss of lives. The proposed 30 minute delay in response time will predictably erode future Canadian Coast Guard rescue missions into tragic body recovery missions.

This is an emphatic SOS to come to the public rally to save the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station on Saturday, August 25 at 1300H at the Kits CCG Station. They've been Saving Our Souls in peril for half a century, it's time now for us to return the favour.

   

 

The Bottom Line on Safety

The Canadian Coast Guard may be the professional fire and ambulance service on the ocean but the responsibility for the safety of everyone on every vessel belongs to that vessels skipper.

 

The skipper must ensure her/his skill and knowledge level are appropriate for the voyage he/she sets out on. The skipper must ensure that the vessel and all required equipment are in good working order. The skipper must be aware of and be prepared for the current environmental conditions; the forecast environmental conditions; and those conditions which might possibly occur. The skipper must ensure she/he complies with Transport Canada Collision regulations and all applicable rules of navigation. The skipper must ensure that her/his crew is prepared for the voyage and aware of the procedure in the event of an emergency. In short, skippers are responsible for their own safety and that of their crew.

 

Despite the best efforts of skippers, marine accidents do occur. Vessels of all types and sizes have accidents. They collide, catch fire, capsize, or, like my former ship, the Queen of the North, sink with loss of life. We need a fully staffed, professional coast guard station here in Canada's busiest waterway. Not to relieve skippers of their responsibility, but to ensure the best possible prospects of survivability when the inevitable marine accidents do occur.

Send Us Your Photos

  We're looking for Jericho style photos to use in our newsletters, website & other promotions.

 

Thanks To Jericho Rescue Team and Companionway Sailing Club member, Elisabeth Buxbaum, for these images (and our cover shot) of the 2012 Canadian Laser Masters Champions hosted by the Jericho Sailing Centre on the BC Day long weekend.

 

Thanks to Elisabeth, Andy Hunt, Jeffrey Hocking, Jon Hitchings, Kyle Kotowick, Jen Weterings, Phil Salt, Helen Elfert, Mike Morris and all of the volunteers who help make this a great event.

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

 

New Motorcycle Parking Regulations @ Jericho

Effective immediately, only current JSCA members are eligible to park motorcycles in the designated area just inside the main entrance to the Jericho Sailing Centre.

 

In order to park in the designated area, members must register in the JSCA office. Once the designated area is filled, motercycles must be parked in the regular parking lot. Unregistered bikes parked in the Jericho Sailing Centre compound will be towed at the owners expense. 

Dog Days of Summer - Etiquette Reminder

During the peak of summer, when the heat is on, things get extremely busy at the Jericho Sailing testing the limits of our rules and procedures as well as members' consideration of their fellow members. For a more complete list of Jericho etiquette please scroll down the page. Here is a list of sins from the past couple of weeks where members minds have temporarily melted and reminders have been required:

 

 Please do not rig anywhere on the ramps or in the area around the tops of ramps - others are keen to get to and from the sea too.

 

There is no swimming or WADING between the Jericho Pier and the rock groyne to the east. This is a well signed danger area with high boat traffic including many beginners who have not yet acheived full control. Despite this, many parents let their young childen play here and will even argue with Jericho Rescue Team staff and volunteers as well as well meaning members who point out the obvious dangers. Several times in the past 2 weeks we have had to call in the lifeguards to enforce the Vancouver Park Board Bylaw and once the police had to be called in to deal with barnacle brains.

 

On August 5 an ambulance was called to the Jericho Sailing Centre to deal with a 10 year old child who had fallen off the top of a log fort built on the beach by others. These structures are not allowed on city beachs.

 

Reduce your speed in the launch area. For rescue and coach boats the area between the orange can bouys and the shoreline in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre is a 5 knot zone. When the wind gets up many sailing craft can easiliy exceed this speed. Please reduce your speed when transiting this congested area.

 

As launch space is at a premium during busy times please do not leave your boat on the shoreline for extended periods.

  

 

Jericho Sailing Centre - New Waste Management Program

 The Jericho Sailing Centre Association has instituted a new waste management program to help us reduce the amount of waste we send to the landfill. For this to work we need everybody to pitch in.

 

Please help us by ensuring you use the correct container for your refuse.   

 

Oceanman                                                                          August 25
 The Jericho Oceanman is a 2-3 hour multi-sport adventure race, held on the beach at the Jericho Sailing Center in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada


The race disciplines are swimming, paddling, running and stand up paddling with a few challenges throughout to test competitors skills and physical abilities.

Categories are solo, relay, and team.

Post-race activities include an awesome BBQ, live music, awards and prizes.

 

INFO 

Vancouver SUP Race                                                       August 26

 Come join the fun on Sunday August 26, 2012 for the 2nd Annual Vancouver SUP Challenge at the Jericho Sailing Centre. Consists of five events, a 4km solo race for 14' boards, a 2km Recreational Race for all boards, a 3km solo race for 12'6" boards, a kids fun paddle, sprints for 12'6" boards and a mixed relay. Enter as many events as you wish! $1000 cash purse split between top three men and women for top placing of either 14ft or 12ft6 course race COMBINED with top Sprint finish. 1st - $250, 2nd - $150, 3rd - $100.

INFO.. 

Kayak for a Cure                                                               August 26

 The 2012 Kayak for a Cure event will take place on Sunday, August 26th at the Jericho Sailing Centre. Registration kicks off at 8AM and launch will happen promptly at 9AM. For more info and to register back paddle over to: INFO

DANGER - NO SWIMMING 

Vancouver has some of the best swimming beaches of any city in the world, however, the stretch of Jericho Beach in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre is NOT one of them. For the past 38 years this has been Vancouver's only public beach designated for the launch of small, naturally powered craft: sailing dinghies, rowboats, windsurfers, canoes, kayaks, etc.

 

The danger for swimmers in this area is the extreme amount of small boat traffic including many skippered by beginners and novices. For this reason swimming is strictly prohibited. Excellent, lifeguarded swim beaches are located to the west at Locarno Beach or to the east at the Jericho Beach swim area.

Thursday Nite Paddle Races @ Jericho August 16
 Kayaks, Surf Skis, SUP's:
 
If you can paddle it, you can race it!
Thursday Night Paddle Races @ Jericho
August 16 & 30 1900H
Registration $5 / JSCA Members FREE
Draw prizes provided by:
MEC/Windsure/Ecomarine/Jericho Galley Patio & Grill 
English Bay Safety Seminar  August 20
The English Bay Safety Seminar was developed for users of the Jericho Sailing Centre to help keep them safe at play on the waters of English Bay. The seminar covers basic water safety fundamentals along with user specific information drawn from the logs of the Jericho Rescue Team who have intervened in thousands of "sea disasters" over the past 38 years. 

 Why make your own mistakes when you can learn from the mistakes of others? Don't challenge Darwin's theory, make sure your water safety knowledge is the fittest it can be. Your survival may well depend upon it. Find the missing links and fill in the gaps in your water safety knowledge by attending a FREE English Bay Safety Seminar August 20 at 1900H RSVP JSCA office.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS @ Jericho Sailing Centre 

Tasar BC's Regatta               September 8 & 9    

UBC Collegiate Regatta       September 15 & 16

Day of the Longboat           September 22/23/29/30     INFO 

UBC Sailing Club Party                                                         September 15

The UBC Sailing Club Hangar Parties are back and better than ever! Enjoy an awesome evening of live music, great beer and amazing people at the best indoor/outdoor venue in BC. The first hangar party proved that we can still throw an amazing party, if you missed the first one you have to come to this one to see what all the buzz is about!

We're super excited to have The Ponderosas playing at this year's party, we also have DJ Deezel back to keep the party going between sets. 

Amazing beer, by Howe Sound, great burgers on premium buns, house made Sangria and amazing music. The Ponderosas bring their folky sound to the Jericho Sailing Centre and between sets DJ Deezel lays down the beats for an amazing hangout or dance environment. These parties have something for everyone!

Doors are at 8pm and we don't have to kick you out until 2am.

Tickets are being printed now and will be on sale by Aug 15 - only $12 bucks and they can be bought at the Jericho Office or from any UBC Sailing Club Exec. We can only sell tickets to members of the Jericho Sailing Centre but they're welcome to bring guests so if you're not a member and you want to come hit up your friends who are members.

Check out the facebook event here:
 

 

Pictures from the last party (Thanks Adrienne!)
 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10150991426534143&type=1

 
Hear the band:
 

Jericho Folk Club - Tuesday Evenings

 

Jericho Sailing Centre Association Planning Forum - September 17
The JSCA Planning Committee welcomes all members to attend the 2012 Annual Planning Forum on September 17 at 1900H. We'll be taking a look at opportunities for the future of the Jericho Sailing Centre for next year and beyond. Please plan to attend and bring your ideas for improving the Jericho Sailing Centre. If you are unable to attend but have ideas to share please send them along via return email no later than September 12.

 

Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette 
 

Common sense and consideration of fellow members 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:

 

  • 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 dollies 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 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.
 
DANGER Boats Crossing
 
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.
 
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.
 
Links to previous issues