Created: June 5, 2015
Last updated: July 24, 2019
We created it to enable level 2 and level 3 windsurfers to access high wind conditions off site more frequently than is possible at Jericho, to practice skills in high wind locations such as Squamish in the summer, and Boundary Bay in the shoulder season. We also created it to ensure a fair and equitable use of gear for members who want to regularly sail offsite, at Jericho, or at both locations.
All the club and windsurfing fleet rules, procedures and safety precautions, and unwritten club norms (the Locarno way), apply when taking gear to sail offsite. Equipment undergoes extreme use under high wind conditions. Any damage when using gear away from Jericho must be repaired and paid for.
Additional rules and procedures on how to handle the gear are detailed below.
For windsurfers in the offsite pass program:
Members can join the offsite pass program after receiving approval from the Windsurfing Director, and paying the fee shown in the membership section of the club website. Approval can be granted or revoked at the discretion of the Windsurfing Director.
Single Day Offsite Rental
Starting in 2019, in addition to the high wind offsite season's pass, advanced windsurfers will now have the option to take windsurfing gear off site for single day use. As with the unlimited off site season's pass, this is only available for level 3 and more advanced level 2 windsurfers. In order to use this option you will first need to get the permission of the windsurfing director. This is a one time requirement. That is, once permission is given, the member may take gear off site for single day use without requiring further permission. All the rules applying to offsite season's passholders apply to single day use passes. Rentals are limited to a single windsurfing board and up to three rigs. You take full responsibility for loss and damage when you rent gear from the club.
Level 2 and 3 boards only may be taken off site. Before taking a board off site you must verify that taking it does not reduce the number of usable (undamaged and available) boards below the limits specified on the Board Availability Policy page. If you are planning to take a board during the time a club trip is scheduled, you must also factor in the number of boards being taken on the trip as club trips take priority over individual off site use. If in any doubt, you must contact the trip organizer or windsurfing director to verify.
Sails/rigs can be taken from the level 3 gear reserves, stored in the windsurfing container (“the cage”). The pre-rigged sails that are hanging on the rack outdoors should not be taken without permission. These pre-rigged sails are meant for use at Jericho.
As we currently (as of 2019) have a large number of harnesses for Jericho use it is permissible to take a harness for offsite use as long as there are plenty of harnesses left at Jericho for local use. However, if you are at this stage in your windsurfing progression, we strongly advise you to purchase your own harness for personal use.
Aside from harnesses, you may take ANY other normal accessories as needed, e.g. PFDs, extra harness lines, universals extensions, etc.
If your gear is wanted by another member, you should return the gear so they can take it. It is up to you, as an offsite passholder, to coordinate the return of your gear with club members who have the same privileges as you. Consideration and coordination is part of our general club rules.
*If you think an exception to the 1-day rule for your trip is warranted, contact the Windsurfing Director (windsurfing@clublocarno.com) for approval.
Squamish in the summer, and Boundary Bay in the shoulder season. You may also take the gear for a multi-day trip to Nitinaht, Hood River or other high wind destination with the prior approval of the Windsurfing Director.
All level 3 boards must be transported in the available board bags in the cage.
All transport of gear must be done using the same procedures taught at the club’s rigging clinics, or as instructed individually by the Director or a Fleet Captain.
Sign out the gear as a “Rental” (the options are Pleasure, Lesson, Club Trip, Rental).
In the comment area, indicate the location, expected return time, and equipment taken (e.g., “Taking the Ezzy 4.7 and Goya 5.0, 400 Ezzy mast, Severne 150-200 boom”).
Remember to sign-in the gear upon your return. You could be tired after a long day, so don’t forget.
You don’t need to notify anyone UNLESS you are planning on a multi-day trip or taking gear away at the same time an official club trip is scheduled. Both these scenarios require the prior approval of the Windsurfing Director.
This is to make impromptu trips possible and to minimize need for coordination. As long as you use the club online signout system, you do not exceed the limit of number of boards allowed to be taken from the club, and take gear for 1-day trip only, you don’t need to seek approval or notify others. Remember, Level 2 sailors must be accompanied with a Level 3 sailor unless granted "advanced" status by the Windsurfing Director.
Criteria for becoming an L2.5
This is somewhat subjective and ultimately up to the discretion of the windsurfing director (with input from fleet captains or other trusted L3 members) but should generally meet the following:
The offsite passholder privileges and policy may not cover all circumstances. So, there still may be some unanswered questions that are worth discussing in the future after members have had some experience with the program. Any windsurfing fleet member can join in to discuss these questions: