Prize-Winning Family Raises Sails on 10-day Bareboat Yacht Charter in BVI

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA (April 5, 2012) – As sailors from Russia to the Bahamas and from New York to Texas are gearing up to celebrate Summer Sailstice, three Californians are raising their sails in the British Virgin Islands for a 10-day private sailboat charter they won through Summer Sailstice. 

“This is their first time down there,” Summer Sailstice founder John Arndt said of the three winners.

Carleen, Darwin and Daniel Southard are beginning their adventure on a Footloose Yacht Charters’ 43-foot monohull in Road Town, the capital of BVI. They’ve spent three months researching the route they’ll travel through the network of islands, said Carleen Southard, a school librarian in San Marcos, CA.
“I’m a research fiend,” Southard said. “I have charts pinned up all over the walls in our family room.”

Southard has tapped into friends’ knowledge of the area, as well, and has done quite a bit of Internet surfing.
The family plans to sail from Road Harbour on the island of Tortola and spend their first night on Norman Island. Then they’ll sail around Jost Van Dyke Island, and around the backside of Tortola.
“We hope to make it to Anegada Island,” Southard said. It's farther than most charterers usually go.  They also plan to snorkel, swim and hike, and do some gourmet cooking on board in the large galley.

Son Daniel, 25, is bringing his mountable Go Pro camera and will attach it to a kite mounted on the boat. Summer Sailstice 2012 is awarding 3 Go Pro cameras as prizes for lucky contestants.
Later this summer the Southards will celebrate the 2012 solstice with an overnight sail from Oceanside Yacht Club to Dana Point, CA on “Moana” their Catalina 28.  Southard says she is bringing a Summer Sailstice 2012 burgee to give to the charter company for the monohull they are chartering. And while sailing the BVIs they’ll be sporting swanky T’s from Summer Sailstice.
“I’m really excited the the burgees got here,” she said, laughing. “I WILL be representing Summer Sailstice!”

Anyone who signs up for Summer Sailstice at www.SummerSailstice.com is eligible to win prizes for 2012. Traditionally held the weekend closest to the summer solstice, this global celebration invites all water lovers to sail “together” regardless of where they are.

Every year, Summer Sailstice connects over 17,000 sailors all over the world—cruisers, racers and recreational—to celebrate and showcase life under sail. It has expanded to include participants from Asia, across the Americas and Europe. For information on other Sailstice events around the world contact john@summersailstice.com

The Southards hanging out on their boat during Summer Sailstice 2011

The Southard family, winners of Summer Sailstice's 2011 prize, a 10-day BVI sailboat charter

The Southards and friends celebrate the 2011 solstice