Rules

Official Sweepstakes Terms, Conditions, & Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES.

OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (EXCLUDING NEW YORK AND FLORIDA) AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD.

By entering the Sweepstakes (defined below) you agree to share your email address and name with Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers (defined below) and to receive emails and marketing from Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers. You can opt-out of receiving these communications at any time by following the instructions to unsubscribe in email.

Prizes: Subject to the terms and conditions of these Official Sweepstakes Terms, Conditions, & Rules, the following prizes will be awarded to one (1) randomly selected winner (“Winner”) in this Sweepstakes.

Surf Synergy Spring Sweepstakes 2026 Grand Prize:

Lodging, accommodations, and any activities offered by the Prize Providers are subject to availability at the time of booking.

1. To be provided by Surf Synergy: A seven-night surf resort package for the Winner and a guest of their choosing (“Guest”), including six (6) days and seven (7) nights at Surf Synergy in Costa Rica. The Winner has the option to redeem anytime within a 1.5 years of the eligible win date.

   1. Includes three (3) meals per day with lodging at Surf Synergy, five (5) 1:1 surf coaching sessions with video analysis, daily yoga and mobility classes plus one (1) sixty-minute (60) body treatment and one (1) Contrast Therapy Breath Workshop, and choice of one (1) additional excursion of choice from the following options: horseback riding, waterfall hike, or catamaran sail.

   2. Alcohol, additional surf lessons and incidentals not included.

   3. Redeemable anytime within a 1.5 years of the eligible win date. No cash value, non-transferrable, based on availability.

   4. Surf Synergy will always seek out the best options and conditions but is not responsible for unfavorable weather conditions.

2. To be provided by Mountain Gazette: Airfare reimbursement up to One Thousand and 00/100 U.S. Dollars (US $1,000.00) provided by Mountain Gazette to and from the locations in the United States to an airport within a distance deemed reasonable by Mountain Gazette to Surf Synergy facilities for the scheduled lodging and activity days in Costa Rica.
   
   Not included: baggage fees, incidental expenses, inflight meals or entertainment, and incidental expenses as a result of missed/delayed/canceled flights.
   
   Winner will be notified of how to redeem the prize and will be responsible for booking airfare and accommodations prior to and following the trip. Once confirmed, accommodation arrangements cannot be changed.

3. One (1) $250 USD gift card redeemable on Arcade Belts website.

4. One three month supply of nutrition products including six (6) boxes of electrolyte drink mix, six (6) boxes of Endurance, and six (6) bags of Recovery Protein from Kyhv Nutrition.

5. Two (2) stretch Tech Shirts of the winner’s choice from Party Shirt International.

6. Two Hundred and 00/100 U.S. Dollars (US $200.00) in Mountain Gazette Merchandise from mountaingazette.com and a one-year subscription to Mountain Gazette for the Winner.

The Surf Synergy Spring 2026 Sweepstakes Prize is subject to these additional requirements and restrictions: Winner will be responsible for all costs, expenses and incidentals that are not specifically stated as being included in the prize, including but not limited to, accommodations before and following the trip, amenities beyond those detailed in the trip package, personal items, alcohol purchases, gratuities, taxes, and insurance. 

Winner and Guest are required to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Waiver/Consent of Responsibility provided by Mountain Gazette or the referenced guide services, and must pass a background check, as conditions of eligibility for the trip.

Winner and Guest may also be required to complete Releases of Liability from the guide services referenced above before each activity day.

The Winner is responsible for ensuring that they have any and all required travel documentation and identification, including passports and visas as applicable, and to ensure that such travel documentation or identification is valid prior to and for the entire duration of travel, and to comply with any customs and immigration requirements.

It is recommended that the Winner obtain sufficient personal travel insurance prior to departure. If the Winner decides not to travel due to reasons other than the foregoing, the prize will be forfeited, no alternative prize will be awarded, and no credit or reimbursement will be awarded. 

You are not guaranteed to win a prize and your chance of winning is dependent on the total number of eligible entries received (see Odds).

Except for the prizes provided by Mountain Gazette above, the Winner accepts the responsibility to coordinate with Surf Synergy, Arcade Belts, Party Shirt International, and Kyhv Nutrition (collectively, the “Prize Providers”) to redeem/collect any and all prizes above. Mountain Gazette will not coordinate redemption of prizes from the Prize Providers on your behalf.

By participating in this Sweepstakes (the "Sweepstakes"), you acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Introduction: Verb Cabin, LLC (“Sponsor”), owner of Mountain Gazette, is offering the Surf Synergy 2026 Sweepstakes (the "Sweepstakes"). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
   
   By entering the Sweepstakes you agree to share your email address and name with Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers and to receive email newsletters periodically from Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers.

2. Eligibility: Entrant and potential guest must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age or older by date of entry and permanent legal residents of the 50 United States (excluding New York and Florida) and the District of Columbia.

Entrant and potential guest must have a valid, up-to-date passport and be legally allowed to travel to Costa Rica; and must have completed the required background check, Affidavit of Eligibility, and Waiver/Consent of Responsibility provided by Mountain Gazette or the named Prize Providers.

Employees, officers, directors, and immediate family members of Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers, as well as their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and any other individuals or entities directly associated with this Sweepstakes, are not eligible to participate.

All entries with a SWEEPER/GIVEAWAY or similar account will automatically be   disqualified.

3. Timing/Promotion Period: Sweepstakes begins at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific May 5, 2026 and ends at 11:59:00 P.M. Pacific on May 29, 2026 (“Promotion Period”) - Sweepstakes may be extended seven (7) days at Sponsor’s sole discretion. All entries must be received during the Promotion Period above and posted by the end of the Promotion Period in order to participate. Entries received outside the Sweepstakes Promotion Period will be ineligible and will be discarded.

4. How to Enter: The Sweepstakes must be entered by submitting an entry using the online form provided on Mountaingazette.com during the Promotion Period, completing the checkbox saying you have read and agree to the rules, and clicking enter now.
   
   The entry must fulfill all sweepstakes requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are not complete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Mountain Gazette. You may enter only once per household and you must fill in the information requested.
   
   You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple e-mail addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. Any use of robotic, repetitive, automatic, programmed, or similar entry methods or agents (including, but not limited to, sweepstakes entry services) will void all Entries by you.
   
   If you use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of Mountain Gazette. Responsibility for receipt of entry rests solely with the entrant.

5. Drawing/Selection of Winner: This Sweepstakes will have one (1) winner.  The entrant selected as potential winner must comply with all terms and conditions set forth in these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all such requirements. The potential winner will be selected by random drawing from all entries received on or before the entry deadline.
   
   The drawing will be conducted within seven (7) days after the Promotion Period by Mountain Gazette, whose decision is final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes. We will post the Winner's name and ticket number on this website and may not post on social media.

6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Example entry: if the entrant has one (1) entry and there are a total of ten thousand (10,000) entries. The chance of the entrant winning is one in ten thousand (1 in 10,000).

7. Notification: Potential winner will be notified by e-­mail within seven (7) days of the end of the Sweepstakes. If a potential winner fails to respond within forty-eight (48) hours after the first attempt to contact such potential winner, an alternate entrant will be selected in his or her place at random from all entries received.

8. Prize Redemption: Any expenses/costs associated with a prize, its acceptance, use or enjoyment that are not listed herein as included with a prize are the Winner’s responsibility and will not be provided.
   
   At Mountain Gazette’s discretion, unclaimed prizes may not be awarded. Mountain Gazette is not responsible for lost or mutilated prizes and none will be replaced.
   
   Each Prize is non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded. No cash or other substitution may be made.
   
   In order to collect his or her Prizes, the Winner may be required to sign and deliver to the Sponsor an Eligibility and Liability Release statement.
   
   The approximate retail value of the prize represents Mountain Gazette's good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated approximate retail value, the difference will not be awarded in cash.
   All taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes won are the sole responsibility of the Winner.

If any prize or prize notification is returned as non-­deliverable, the potential winner will be disqualified and another potential winner will be selected in the original potential winner's place.

9. Publicity and Liability: By accepting the prize, the Winner agrees that the Sponsor, the Prize Providers, and those acting under the Sponsor's authority, may use the Winner's name, picture/portrait likeness and/or voice, for advertising and promotional purposes without further consideration, unless prohibited by law.
   
   BY ACCEPTING THE PRIZE, THE WINNER AGREES THAT MOUNTAIN GAZETTE, ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, AND ALL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS, WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR, AND WILL BE HELD HARMLESS BY WINNER FOR ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND TO PERSONS, INCLUDING DEATH, AND PROPERTY, DUE IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE OR PARTICIPATION IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY SWEEPSTAKES OR PRIZE RELATED ACTIVITY.

Release of Liability: By entering the Sweepstakes, you agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Mountain Gazette, its parent company, the Sponsor, the Prize Providers, their respective affiliates and subsidiaries, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives (collectively referred to as the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of or relating to your participation in the Sweepstakes, acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize, or any rights granted hereunder.

Subject to all federal, state, and local laws. Void where prohibited.

10. Miscellaneous: All entries become the sole property of Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers and none will be returned. In the event of a dispute, entries made by Internet will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-­mail address submitted at the time of entry.
    
    The "authorized account holder" is deemed the natural person who is assigned to an e-­mail address by an Internet access provider, service provider, or other online organization that is responsible for assigning e-­mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-­mail address.
    
    A potential winner may be requested to provide Mountain Gazette with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the e-­mail address associated with the winning entry. If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure, human error, or any other causes beyond the control of Mountain Gazette that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, Mountain Gazette reserves the right in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes.
    
    Mountain Gazette assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. The Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any email or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site, any combination thereof, or otherwise, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in the Sweepstakes. Mountain Gazette is not responsible for late, lost, illegible, incomplete, stolen, or misdirected entries.
    
    CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

11. Governing Law and Venue: The Sweepstakes and these terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Sweepstakes shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively in the state or federal courts located in California. By entering the Sweepstakes, you hereby waive any and all objections to jurisdiction and venue in such courts.

12. Waiver of Legal Action: By entering the Sweepstakes, you expressly waive any right to pursue any legal action, lawsuit, or proceeding against the Released Parties relating to or arising out of the Sweepstakes, including but not limited to claims for personal injury, property damage, or any other harm or loss. This waiver applies to any and all claims, whether known or unknown, arising under any legal theory.

13. Rights & Use of Information: By entering this sweepstakes you understand and agree that Mountain Gazette, anyone acting on behalf of Mountain Gazette, and the Prize Providers will have the right where permitted by law to publish, distribute, and use in any media your entry, name, portrait, picture, or likeness as news, publicity and for public relations or promotional purposes without further compensation or notice.
    
    The collection and use of entrant information will be governed by Mountain Gazette and the Prize Providers’ online privacy policies.

14. Winners List: For the name of the winner, please contact us at help@mountaingazette.com and in the body of the email type: “Please e-mail me the winner list for the Mountain Gazette Sweepstakes.”

15. Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Sweepstakes is Verb Cabin, LLC d/b/a Mountain Gazette, PO Box 694, Tahoe City, California, 96145, United States. Mountain Gazette may be reached by email at help@mountaingazette.com during the Promotion Period.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or Google. You understand that you are providing your information to the owner of this Sweepstakes and not to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or Google.