Jericho Sailing Centre Association
December 9, 2015
SEAsons Greetings From Jericho Beach
                                               
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's Ocean Community Centre, for December 9, 2015 and beyond:
  
In This Issue
Join our Mailing List!
2016 Jericho Sailing Centre Event Schedule  
The 2016 JSCA Event Calendar is now up on the Jericho Sailing Centre website. All of our regular programs: Sunday Racing, Tuesday Nite Racing, Jericho Wavechasers, Rookie Racing & English Bay Safety Seminars are back on board along with fixture regattas: Flights of Spring Regatta, Jericho Classic Regatta, Hobie Classic Regatta and the Tasar BC's.

Highlights for the New Year include an expanded Jericho Wavechaser Paddle Series; we start in April and go into September because that's what paddlers asked for.

For the complete 2016 event calendar, sail, paddle or row your mouse over to
http://jsca.bc.ca/events2/google-events-calendar/

Volunteer Sandbagger Work Party  

Many thanks to all of the JSCA members who came out on to our Sandbagging Volunteer Workparty on Saturday, November 28. Sandbags have been placed to ensure that the Jericho Sailing Centre building will not be flooded in the event of a King Tide aligning with a westerly storm surge.
 

Join Jericho at the 2016 Vancouver Boat Show  
The 2016 Vancouver Boat Show will take place from January 20-24, at BC Place Stadium. The JSCA will have an informational display at the show and is looking for JSCA member volunteers to crew our booth. It's a great way to meet your fellow members, spread the good word about the Jericho Sailing Centre and gain free admission to the show.

We are looking for volunteers for two hour shifts. To sign up please email Holly at admin@jsca.bc.ca . For more info on the 2016 Vancouver Boat Show, showboat your mouse over to http://www.vancouverboatshow.ca . 

Winter Service Hours @ Jericho Sailing Centre
The JSCA Office will be open everyday 0930-1630H through December 23. We'll close on December 24 and re-open January 4, 2016 at 0930H. If you require access to our facility during this time please plan ahead and purchase a member key. For security & safety Jericho Sailing Centre's ocean gates are kept locked at this time of year until needed.

The Jericho Galley Patio and Grill is closed now through to January 23 when it will open for weekend service.

Storm Season: Batten Down the Hatches!
Every "off season" vicious wind storms rip through the Jericho Sailing Centre compound looking for loose tarps, boat covers and poorly stowed gear. When they find a loose tarp they can turn a docile hibernating boat into a flying projectile which can cause damage to neighbouring craft. Members are responsible for ensuring they have "battened down the hatches" on their equipment stored at the Jericho Sailing Centre. If your boat causes damage to neighbouring craft you can be held liable. We encourage you to check your craft regularly year round (particularly before & after gnarly windstorms), remove any parts or equipment that can be easily removed (most thefts occur between Oct.-April) and make sure water doesn't collect inside your hull (if it freezes and expands it can cause major damage).
Math Quiz Answer: Jericho & DSA Adding Up
DSA Fleet Racing in a Fresh Breeze (helicopter above)
In case you missed our quizzical question:

JSCA sailor and board member, James Kennedy was visiting friends when he took a casual interest in their son's grade 10 math homework. As James was checking out the textbook, to see if things had changed since he was in grade 10, mastering the abacus, he was surprised to find the following question:

 



"The Disabled Sailing Association had its first sessions at the Jericho Sailing Centre in Vancouver, BC. At a recent regatta, a television news team tracked two sailboats from a helicopter 800m above the water. The team observed the sailboats on the left and right sides of the helicopter at angles of depression of 58 degrees and 36 degrees, respectively.

a) Which boat is located closer to the helicopter? Explain.
b) Determine the distance between the two boats. Express your answer to the nearest metre."

We had several enthusiastic members respond to this Jericho math challenge in the last  in the wind newsletter. Congratulations to Hobie sailor Eric Hiob who was the first to answer correctly and won the coveted prize of a Jericho Sailing Centre Fox 40 safety whistle and lanyard, as well as bragging rights among the mathematically challenged.

The correct answer is:
The boat on the left is closer.  The bigger the angle of depression the closer.  For example when that angle is 90 degrees the boat is directly below.  The distance between the boats is
800/tan(36 deg) + 800/tan(58 deg)
= 1101 + 500
= 1601 (all numbers in meters)

To those who figured they had it, but didn't; remember: the "angle of depression" is always measured from the horizontal.


JSCA Upcoming Meeting Schedule
JSCA Board Meeting    January 26  @ 1900H

Cold Water Safety                     
Here are some things you must know about to recreate safely on English Bay at this time of year:

Appropriate Attire - Dress for Cold Water Immersion
The water temperature is well below the level where it is safe to recreate without a proper  wetsuit (no shorties) 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.

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 leaving their crew swimming. 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. In addition to this, if you are launching from Jericho Beach stop in at the Jericho Sailing Centre office and fill out the WINTER LAUNCH LOG 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 particularly if you are not equipped with legally required running lights. 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.

Here is a link to give you more information on coping with cold water conditions:
 
Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette 
 

Common sense and consideration of fellow members and other users 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:

 

  • No Alcohol is permitted within the Jericho Sailing Centre other than that served by the Jericho Galley Patio & Grill or by a duly authorized affiliated club with a Special Occasion Permit. At no time is alcohol permitted outside of a licensed area.                   
  • 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 dollys 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 leave dollys on the beach.
  • 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.

0.5 IT IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID A COLLISION 
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