Jericho Sailing Centre AssociationMarch 16, 2013
                  
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 March 16, 2013 and beyond:
  
In This Issue
2013 JSCA Fees
Join our Mailing List!
JSCA 2013 Membership and Storage Fees - Due April 30
There is an anomaly in our annual billing for JSCA Membership and Storage fees this year due to the transition away from HST on April 1.  Our membership year covers the period from April 1 to March 31 of the following year, however, Revenue Canada requires us to charge HST if we invoice prior to April 1. For that reason, the JSCA will send out our annual invoice via mail and email on April 1 due, for this year only, by April 30. The regular late fee of $60 will apply on May 1. Anyone wishing to pay the HST can contact the office prior to April 1 for a special invoice.
Jericho Racing Programs start in April
Penguin Cup Racing  Series                             
April 7 & 14 @ 1230H
  
Flights of Spring Regatta                                  April 20 & 21
  
  
  

The 2013 Jericho Racing season kicks off on Sunday, April 7 with the first Penguin Cup Race at Noon. The first regatta of the season is the annual Flights of Spring Regatta April 20 & 21. The last Penguin Cup of Spring is on April 14 and then our weekly racing series commence with the first Sunday Race on May 5 @ 1230H followed by the first Tuesday Nite Racing on May 7 @ 1815H.

Racers are reminded that all competitors must be properly dressed for cold water conditions and that early season racing is not necessarily recommended for in experienced sailors. Anyone interested in learning to race is encouraged to sign up for the Rookie Racing Seminar on June 23 @ 0900H.

For a complete event schedule barge over to:  http://jsca.bc.ca/events/   

April is Club Sign-up Time @ Jericho

One of the best ways to enjoy recreational ocean access on Vancouver's largest playground is to join one of the community based clubs based out of the Jericho Sailing Centre. These low cost, not for profit, volunteer driven organizations provide a wide variety of boat access and training programs for dinghy sailing, paddling, windsurfing, SUP and rowing programs as well as social opportunities. Clubs looking for new crew include:

 

Club Locarno -                  http://www.clublocarno.com/

  

UBC Sailing Club-             http://register.ubcsailing.org/

 

Viking Sailing Club -          http://www.vikingsailingclub.bc.ca/join-our-club/

 

Discovery Sailing Club -     http://discoverysailing.org/

    

For more info. on all JSCA Affiliated Clubs surf over to http://jsca.bc.ca/clubs-2/

Jericho School Sign-ups in April

Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing and Ocean Kayaking Schools at the Jericho Sailing Centre start tip toeing out of hibernation in April and find their full on sea legs in the month of May. For full Season Pass, Rental or Lesson information and registration click the link below:

 

Dinghy Sailing                                                   http://www.macsailing.com/

Windsurfing & Stand Up Paddling                       http://www.windsure.com/

Ocean Kayaking                                                 http://www.ecomarine.com/

NEW-Pay Parking in Effect April 1-October 31
Join the Jericho Rescue Team

The Jericho Rescue Team is looking for volunteer JSCA members who are experienced sailors, windsurfers, paddlers and rowers and are interested in developing their seamanship and water safety skills, 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 safety and rescue coverage for the over 80 on-water event days on our 2013 events calendar. Qualified candidates can sign up for the Jericho Rescue Team Training Course which will be conducted on April 27 & 28. We provide training in water safety and seamanship, boat handling, 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 Andrei or Mike in the Jericho office to discuss your qualification for this program.

MAYDAY Kitsilano Coast Guard Station 
The sinking of a commercial fishing boat off of Point Grey last week was a close call reminder why a centrally located, full time Coast Guard Station is vital in Canada's busiest waterway. By their own accounts, the crew of the vessel were hypothermic when they were pulled from the water in the dark morning hours and they would not have had much more time had they not been spotted when they were.
 
It is worth noting that this was a commercial vessel outside of the so called "boating season", or "regular hours" of the planned student crewed station at Deadman Island. A few hours later the hovercraft that pulled the crew from the water was required to attend a vessel on fire off of Point Roberts and would not have been available for a timely response had the 2 distress situations overlapped.
  
Marine emergencies, incidents and close calls are not uncommon in our local waters and most experts feel that it is only a matter of time before someone who could have been saved by the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station perishes as a result of its closure.   

Closing what has been Canada's busiest coast guard station for the past 50 years to save $700K only makes sense to Stephen Harper's Conservative government.

 

The JSCA, along with many others in our marine community will continue to strenuously object to this ill fated closure. In the past month we have collected over 4,000 letters to Stephen Harper objecting to the closure. We encourage users of the Jericho Sailing Centre to continue to write to local MPs and the Prime Minister to voice their displeasure. Form letters are available onsite at the Jericho Sailing Centre as well as on our website.

  

Here are the email addresses of local Conservative MPs:

 

'randy@randykamp.com';

'james.moore.c1a@parl.gc.ca';

 'Kerry-Lynne.Findlay@parl.gc.ca';

 'Wai.Young@parl.gc.ca';

 'alice.wong@parl.gc.ca';

 'james.lunney@parl.gc.ca';

 'andrew.saxton@parl.gc.ca';

 'mark.strahl@parl.gc.ca';

 'mark.warawa@parl.gc.ca';

 'john.weston@parl.gc.ca';

 'ed.fast@parl.gc.ca';

 'grewan1@parl.gc.ca';

 'russ.hiebert@parl.gc.ca'

  

Spring Clean-up @ Jericho
The JSCA encourages all members to participate in the 2013 Jericho Sailing Centre Compound Beautification Project by keeping your boat and storage space ship shape and by participating with volunteer work parties in 2013 to help clean up aisle ways and other common space areas. We have a bin onsite for the early spring to facilitate compound clean-up; please pitch in. Members can jettison their onsite junk into the bin on the main aisle way anytime or join in on organized volunteer work parties on Saturdays April 6 & 13 @ 1100H.    

 

Dress Appropriately for Cold Water Conditions
There are many people, particularly Stand Up Paddlers, launching from Jericho Beach these days who are new to cold water ocean recreation. Here are some things they must know about:

Appropriate Attire - Dress for Cold Water Immersion
The water temperature is well below the level where it is safe to recreate without a proper (no shorties) wetsuit or drysuit. People who get into serious trouble at this time of year have often made the mistake of dressing for the air temperature not the water temperature, which is fine until something goes wrong and they suddenly find themselves immersed in the water. 

 

Use Your Head
Significant heat loss is through your head. When you consider that hypothermia is the most significant danger experienced ocean recreationalists face and a neoprene cowling cost $15 at MEC, you don't need a calculator to do the math. A wool toque or hat will also work quite well.

 

Always Stay with Your Craft
When a sailing dinghy, windsurfer or kayak capsizes they are usually within a couple of swim strokes of their crew. Some craft, particularly SUP's and surf skis, require a safety leash (in good condition and properly attached) as they can easily get away in a capsize situation. Never leave your craft in an emergency situation as it is far easier to spot than a person in the water. 

Use the Buddy System 
Always sail, paddle, row with someone else, especially in cold water conditions. Let a reliable friend or relative know when and where you are going and when you expect to return. Diligently contact them upon your safe return. If you are launching from Jericho Beach stop in at the JSCA office to let us know when and where you are going and when you expect to return.

Be Aware of Sunset
Recently, JSCA staff have witnessed people launching within a few minutes of sunset. This is a dangerous practice. If something goes wrong for you: equipment failure; changing conditions; fatigue, etc., you are very difficult to find in the dark. Make sure your safety float plan includes plenty of time to get off of the water before sunset.
 

 http://beyondcoldwaterbootcamp.com/   
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.
 
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