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| Jericho Sailing Centre Association | Nov. 1 , 2018 |
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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 November 1, 2018 and beyond: |
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JSCA 2019 Annual Fleet Planning Meeting November 27
|  Racers, whatever your class, the annual Fleet Planning Meeting is where we lay out the first draft of the 2019 JSCA Event Schedule. Over this past year the Jericho Sailing Centre Association was involved in 81 on water event days and the planning started at this meeting last November. If you have an idea for a 2019 event, or how we can make Jericho racing programs better, come to this meeting, share your ideas and help us plan for a successful 2019.
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Bon Voyage Andy
|  The Jericho Sailing Centre Association joins many in the Vancouver sailing community mourning the loss of our dear friend, Laser Fleet Captain, Programmes Committee Chair, race committee chair and all round good fellow, Andy Hunt, who passed away, surrounded by family, October 21 after a 3 month battle with brain cancer.
Andy crossed the pond on his Laser from the Hollyburn Sailing Club in the mid-1990's and immediately immersed himself in the Jericho Sailing Centre's sail racing programs. He became Jericho's Laser Fleet Captain and as such, was an excellent resource for people new to Laser sailing and/or racing. He loved racing Lasers and his enthusiasm was infectious. He served on the JSCA Board as Programmes Chair for over 20 years and helped us train many race management volunteers and staff. He was the Principle Race Officer for more Jericho Regatta's than any volunteer in our organization's history-a function he performed remarkably well. Andy was the District 6 Laser Fleet representative for many years and loved to travel to regattas throughout his district. Andy leaves his many sailing friends with fond memories of competitions and companionship. The JSCA is working together with Andy's family to hold a Life Celebration/Wake in the spring, possibly around the Flights of Spring Regatta. Details to come. Andy's on-line obituary can be found at:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/victoria-bc/andrew-hunt-8031053
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1918-2018 Remembrance Day Paddle in Jerry's Cove
|  Each year, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month our good neighbours at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club hold a Remembrance Day Service on the water in Jerry's Cove between the Jericho Sailing Centre and the RVYC breakwater. Many of their past members served in the Canadian Navy during two world wars and current RVYC members do an excellent job of paying their respects in this solemn nautical tradition. Jericho Rescue will be on the water in Jerry's Cove between 1030-1200H to pay respects on behalf of the JSCA and assist any attending paddlers who may wish to observe this unique maritime service. Please remember to display a poppy on your PFD.
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November 11 Remember the Jericho Beach Air Station
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The bells that now toll here are wind whipped stainless halyards ringing a forest of anodized aluminum sailing dinghy masts; but it wasn't always that way.
 Department of National Defence Building 13, now known as the Jericho Sailing Centre, was a hustling, bustling place during the Second World War. Here, Canadians carried out their solemn duty to serve our country, to stand with honour to defend and preserve the freedom and peaceful way of life we all cherish today. What is now known as Jericho Beach Park and the adjacent lands south of 4th
Avenue were all part of the largest military training base in western Canada; Canadian Forces Base Jericho Beach. The foreshore, which was hemmed with a concrete wharf apron, 4 large airplane hangers and a Marine & Stores Building (now the Jericho Sailing Centre), was RCAF Jericho Beach Air Station, a flying boat and seaplane base. Through the CFB Jericho Beach passed thousands of western Canadians in their metamorphic journey from civilians to soldiers, launched from here to the eternal hell that is war. Many never came home.
 The Jericho Beach Air Station's focus was civil defence; launching recognizance missions from this shore to patrol the BC coast, looking for signs of enemy vessels and/or aircraft. This original Jericho "ocean access facility" featured floating wooden launch ramps, steel wheeled launch dollies, winches, winch ropes, indoor flying boat storage, armed guards and barbed wire; lots of barbed wire. The crews and personnel of Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron 4, launched flying boats and seaplanes from here; craft with names like: Blackburn Shark, Fairchild 71, Vickers MKII, Canso Catalina and the mainstay of the fleet, the Supermarine Stranraer - a sub hunter-nicknamed "the Whistling Birdcage" by flight crews for the sound generated by it's biplane wing shrouds and rigging in flight.
 The wind and the sea were elements as important to those brave souls as they are to us today although their work was far more dangerous than our leisure time launches. A dead calm sea was difficult to take off from as the heavy craft's hulls had to break through the salt laden surface tension to lift off. A sleeping sea was also treacherous to land on as it was impossible for sky skippers to judge altitude over a swiftly rising glassy surface. Larger waves could also be a problem. There were many spills; eleven aircrew lost in mishaps during this period. In one episode a Blackburn Shark's pontoons punched head on into an English Bay rogue wave in the late stages of a takeoff, flipping the bird and killing the crew. It may soothe the prevailing pacifist nature of our modern day users to know that in over 1700 wartime sorties the original crews of Jericho never fired a shot in anger and their only contact with the "other side" was a mysterious, ineffective, invasion of incendiary bomb rigged weather-type balloons in the winter of 1944/45.
 A monument, just south of the Jericho Sailing Centre entrance; the Jericho Hostel; Jericho Arts Centre; the Vancouver Park Board Maintenance compound, and the Jericho Sailing Centre are all that remain in Jericho Park in Remembrance of those flighty days and fearless crews. When the tubular bells of the Jericho Sailing Centre ring every November 11 they ring for all who served our country and particularly for those who served from these shores. Whenever we launch from Jericho we are exercising the freedom passed on to us from their weathered hands. Remember them well.
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Winter Launch Log Season
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Members who launch from the Jericho Sailing Centre at this time of year are encouraged to stop in at the Jericho office and fill out the Winter Launch Log which outlines your float plan to let people here know you are out there.
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Be Safe: Cold Water Recreation Requires Extra knowledge
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Here are some things they must know about cold water ocean recreation:
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. Hypothermia is the most significant danger experienced ocean recreationalists face. Wear a neoprene cowling, a wool toque or other hat to help retain body heat.
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.
For more information, shiver over to this cold water education site:
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November Service Hours @ Jericho
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The Jericho Galley Patio and Grill will be open weekends only at 1000H - Sunset
The JSCA Office will be open everyday from 0930-1800H until November 4 when the hours change to 0930-1700H.
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Safety Notice: Caution Slickery Ramps
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Algae grows very quickly on objects in the inter tidal zone and the Jericho Sailing Centre ramps are no exception. Predominantly higher water levels and far fewer resources at this time of year (and through the winter) make it a real challenge to keep our ramps clear. We will endeavour to meet this challenge, however, please be aware of this and take extra precaution when using the ramps.
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IMPORTANT RECYCLING NOTICE
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Safe Ocean Recreation Tips
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Here are some things they must know about recreating in an ocean environment:
Be Aware of the Shipping Lane, ships at anchor and all vessel movements
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. 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
Be aware of when sunset is and don't be out beyond it. 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.
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SAFETY NOTICE: NO Mast Rigging from Patio or Roof
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After a close call, potentially serious accident last weekend we are reminding users of the Jericho Sailing Centre that use of the Galley Patio, staircase or rooftop for rigging/tweaking your mast halyards, shrouds, lines, floats, etc. is strictly prohibited. To gain the advantage of height &/or gravity we suggest using the Jericho Pier at lower water levels or the east sides of Ramp # 2 or #3 as potential options.
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