Does anyone else feel the Locarno swim barrier that extends in to the water during summer is too far east and too close to the JSCA pier?
I am posting here to see if there would be interest in petitioning the Vancouver Park Board to move the barrier west.
The last few years it has been getting busier and busier at this launch site. This past year kites were permitted to launch from this location. This was great news for kiters but it made launching from this site quite challenging at times for windsurfers.
My experience from last year is this area is too narrow. With Squamish Spit now closed were are going to see many local launch sites become even busier; Particularly Locarno.
Moving the barrier approximately 100 meters west to be inline with the western edge of the Trimble parking lot seems appropriate.
It also is a concern that lifeguards routinely confront wind sport users while at the same time our tiny launch area is filled with oblivious swimmers.
The city must understand that wind users have no control over direction and power of wind. Wind and tide conditions dictate where and how wind sport users launch and sail to avoid the pier.
Additionally, many wind sport people are beginners and amateurs. These users MUST have access to shoreline far wider than what is currently accommodated so that they can rest, adjust equipment, and learn core skills such as beach and water starts.
There no longer is enough room at this site and this barrier should have been moved west a few years ago.
Thoughts and comments?