SAN DIEGO (NNS) – Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) kicked off the 37th annual Surface Line Week (SLW) competition at Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 6.
Since 1981, Sailors, Marines, Department of the Navy civilian and federal employees from both sea and shore commands come together to compete in both athletic and professional events to build camaraderie within the Surface community and along the waterfront.
This year, participants will compete in more than 30 events during the two week long, friendly competition. Events highlight this year’s theme, “100 Years Since the Victory of World War I—We are Ready Now.”
Athletic events include a 5K run, basketball, billiards, soccer, powerlifting, flag football, golf, push-up/pull-up endurance, and cross fit. Professional events include cake decorating, damage control olympics, lathe work, marksmanship, medical diagnosis/stretcher bearer race, moboards, photo competition, rescue swimmer, sailing, seamanship, ship handling, communications and welding/cutting.
Participants are active duty, regularly assigned Navy Reserve or other military personnel and government civilians formally attached to a Navy command. Points are earned by commands as they compete in the different events to determine large, medium and small unit winners.
In 2017, USS Boxer (LHD 4) took home first place for large commands, USS Spruance (DDG 111) took top honors for medium commands, and Naval Base San Diego was awarded first place for small commands. USS Boxer (LHD 4) took overall first place, rising victorious over 35 participating commands from the San Diego waterfront.
The week will culminate with an award presentation announcing the winning commands Friday, Aug. 17. For information on Surface Line Week 2018, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/Pages/slw.aspx, and to view the team sports brackets and stay up to date on all the action, visit https://www.facebook.com/SurfaceLineWeek/.