The world’s largest celebration of sailing

Summer begins with the Summer Solstice on June 19, 2010 as the sun rises over the international dateline in the Pacific. And with it, the traditional sailing season.

Wherever you sail around the globe, we're inviting you to join the 10th Summer Sailstice, the annual global celebration of sailing on the longest sailing weekend of the year.

We want sailors everywhere to cast off for a race or cruise on solstice weekend, June 19 and 20. Let's get as many sailboats in time zones around the globe out on the water over a 24-hour period. Last year, almost 4,000 sailboats and 15,000 sailors around the globe celebrated Summer Sailstice.

To participate, sign up for free at www.summersailstice.com then:

• Log your sailing plans
• Use the site's tools to plan public or private celebrations
• Recruit crew
• Post stories
• Learn about other Sailstice events

From kite board and foiling moth, to tall ship and blue water cruiser, there are so many ways to get on the water under sail.

Summer Sailstice participants get a chance to win one of over 400 great prizes donated by The Moorings, Hunter Marine, West Marine, Hobie, Offshore Sailing, Harken, Woodenboat, TheSailingChannel, and many other marine business favorites.

One lucky, grand-prize winner will enjoy a fabulous one-week charter, donated by The Moorings, to the British Virgin Islands.

For every mile you sail on Summer Sailstice, you can help preserve the world’s oceans by contributing to Sailors for the Sea. Just check the box when you sign up!

Plan to sail locally and celebrate globally as you join the whole world sailing! For more information and to sign up visit www.summersailstice.com.

 PHOTO/VIDEO CONTEST

As you hoist your sails on June 19, take a picture, shoot a video, and sound a blast as the sun transits your local solar noon. (You can google for that!-click here for the NOAA Sunrise/Sunset Calculator).

Submit your best photo and video to HomePort, TheSailingChannel.TV's social network for sailors. The top three entries for photos and videos will win free feature sailing video downloads from TheSailingChannel.

ENTRY DETAILS

• Visit Homeport at homeport.thesailingchannel.tv
• Sign up for a free account if you don’t already have one
• Join the Summer Sailstice Group
• Upload your best Summer Sailstice photo and video
  • One photo and video entry per contestant
  • Under "Category" select "Summer Salistice"
  • Under "Add media to Groups" check "Summer Sailstice"
  • Fill in "Country", "State", "City", and "Zip/Postal Code"
• Click "Add photo or video"

Summer Sailstice and TheSailingChannel will select the winners and post the winning photos and videos on their websites.

Winners can select their video downloads from TheSailingChannel Video Download Machine. TSCtv will contact winners through HomePort so they can claim their video downloads.

All decisions are final. Summer Salistice and TheSailingChannel reserve the right to use the winning media for promotion and related activities.

About Summer Sailstice

Summer Sailstice is the global sailing holiday celebrated on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. This international event was founded in 2001 to connect the global sailing community in a fun, creative, multifaceted, multi-location sailing holiday. Every year, Summer Sailstice connects over 15,000 sailors all over the world—cruisers, racers and recreational—to celebrate the joy they experience under sail. It has expanded to include participants from Asia, and across the Americas and Europe. In 2009, the celebration grew to almost 4,000 sailboats racing, cruising and daysailing in 50 states and 20 countries. For more information, please visit www.SummerSailstice.com or contact johnATsummersailstice.com.