The staff of Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) announced the 2015 annual Surface Line Week (SLW) competition to be held at Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 17-21.

A San Diego Navy tradition for more than 30 years, SLW brings Sailors and federal civilian employees from both sea and shore commands together for friendly athletic and professional competitions.

"This year's Surface Line Week will continue the tradition of being the premier athletic and professional event in San Diego and will consist of 17 athletic events and 15 professional events culminating in an awards ceremony scheduled for Aug. 21," said Lt. Jochelle Schatz, the 2015 SLW coordinator. "Overall winners will also be recognized at the annual Surface Warrior Ball held this year on Aug. 22 at the Bayfront Hilton Hotel."

Schatz said athletic events will include: a 5K run, basketball, billiards, bowling, dodge ball, flag football, golf, physical fitness excellence, racquetball, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball and weightlifting. There will also be a chili cook-off and a salsa cook-off.

According to Schatz, professional events will include: cake decorating, a damage control marathon, lathe work, marksmanship, medical diagnosis/stretcher bearer race, moboards, photo competition, rescue swimmer, a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) race, sailing, seamanship, ship handling, valve packing, visual communications and welding/cutting.

"Surface Line Week participants must be active duty, regularly assigned Navy reserves, or other military personnel and government civilians formally attached to a Navy command," said Schatz. "Unit entry fees should be paid for from unit Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) funds."

Last year, more than 3,000 participants represented 30 San Diego commands during the SLW competition. In 2013, USS Boxer (LHD 4) took home first place for large command, USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) took top honors for medium command, and Beach Master Unit 1 was awarded first place for small command.

"Surface Line Week 2015 promises to be a fun, challenging and rewarding event," said Schatz. "Maximum participation is desired from all commands to the extent operational schedules allow."

For more information or to learn how to register a command for SLW 2015, contact Lt. Jochelle Schatz at jochelle.a.schatz@navy.mil or visit: http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/Pages/slw.aspx

Follow SLW 2015 on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SurfaceLineWeek

For more news from Naval Surface Forces, visit www.navy.mil/.