The Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship in Roskilde, Denmark
July 6–13, 2026
Crews of 20 people, ages 15 and up, will gather in Roskilde, Denmark for a week of sailing, rowing, knot-tying, navigation races, and social events with crews from a dozen nations.
Training in France Before the Contest:
Team USA and the Mixed International Team will meet in Mesquer, France for training in borrowed French-built gigs before traveling to Roskilde by train and plane. Mesquer is a small coastal village in the Loire-Atlantique region of northwest France and home to the boatbuilding school Skol Ar Mor, our training partner for this program. Mesquer is also the likely host of the AC 2030 Contest.
Because France has many Bantry Bay gigs, our plan is to borrow boats there rather than ship them from Maine. Nations likely represented within the Mixed International Team include the USA, Japan, Indonesia, and Ukraine. Additional countries may join as well.
The French crew will also be training during part of our stay. While each crew will train primarily with their own team, we will have opportunities for shared practice sessions, including three-gig sailing and rowing races. Skol Ar Mor will provide a powerboat for setting up courses and supporting the gigs on the water for additional safety.
Key Dates:
Accommodations:
During Training in Mesquer, France, accommodations will either be:
If staying with families, breakfast and dinner will be provided by the host families; lunch will be shared with all crews. If camping, all meals will be eaten together. We can accommodate most dietary needs.
During the Contest in Roskilde, Denmark:
Each team of 20 people will be assigned a classroom in a local school for group sleeping. Participants will sleep on the floor using their own camp pads and sleeping bags.
Meals include:
Spectators:
Family and supporters are welcome!
We recommend flying into Copenhagen and taking the 20-minute train ride to Roskilde. Lodging options include Airbnb, Danhostel, or a nearby campground.
Tuition for American Participants as part of Team USA or Mixed International Crew
Tuition includes:
Travel Details:
Travel to France from Boston:
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to Logan International Airport to the designated meeting point on the day of departure, likely June 21.
Some participants may carpool or take vans/buses from midcoast Maine. Detailed logistics will be provided later.
Return Travel: Denmark to Boston
We plan to fly back to Boston on July 14. Participants may be picked up in Boston, or we can help arrange Concord Coach bus transportation to Portland.
Some crew members may choose to stay in Boston to attend part of the Tall Ships Festival (July 11–16). We’re happy to help explore options for attending and finding accommodations.
Any questions? Please email us, thanks!
July 6–13, 2026
Crews of 20 people, ages 15 and up, will gather in Roskilde, Denmark for a week of sailing, rowing, knot-tying, navigation races, and social events with crews from a dozen nations.
Training in France Before the Contest:
Team USA and the Mixed International Team will meet in Mesquer, France for training in borrowed French-built gigs before traveling to Roskilde by train and plane. Mesquer is a small coastal village in the Loire-Atlantique region of northwest France and home to the boatbuilding school Skol Ar Mor, our training partner for this program. Mesquer is also the likely host of the AC 2030 Contest.
Because France has many Bantry Bay gigs, our plan is to borrow boats there rather than ship them from Maine. Nations likely represented within the Mixed International Team include the USA, Japan, Indonesia, and Ukraine. Additional countries may join as well.
The French crew will also be training during part of our stay. While each crew will train primarily with their own team, we will have opportunities for shared practice sessions, including three-gig sailing and rowing races. Skol Ar Mor will provide a powerboat for setting up courses and supporting the gigs on the water for additional safety.
Key Dates:
- June 21: Fly from Boston to France
- July 4: Fly from France to Copenhagen, then take a 20-minute train to Roskilde
- July 6–13: The Atlantic Challenge Contest at the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde
- July 14: Fly from Copenhagen to Boston or arrange your own onward travel
Accommodations:
During Training in Mesquer, France, accommodations will either be:
- Group camping in tents at a local campground, or
- Homestays with local families in small groups
If staying with families, breakfast and dinner will be provided by the host families; lunch will be shared with all crews. If camping, all meals will be eaten together. We can accommodate most dietary needs.
During the Contest in Roskilde, Denmark:
Each team of 20 people will be assigned a classroom in a local school for group sleeping. Participants will sleep on the floor using their own camp pads and sleeping bags.
Meals include:
- Breakfast and dinner: Buffet-style in a large cafeteria
- Lunch: Served under a big tent at the Viking Ship Museum
Spectators:
Family and supporters are welcome!
We recommend flying into Copenhagen and taking the 20-minute train ride to Roskilde. Lodging options include Airbnb, Danhostel, or a nearby campground.
Tuition for American Participants as part of Team USA or Mixed International Crew
Tuition includes:
- All accommodations
- Training instruction
- Contest participation fees
- Borrowed gigs
- Insurance
- All meals
- All group travel beginning in Maine on June 21
- Travel from France to Denmark on July 4
- Travel from Denmark to Boston on July 14
Travel Details:
Travel to France from Boston:
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to Logan International Airport to the designated meeting point on the day of departure, likely June 21.
Some participants may carpool or take vans/buses from midcoast Maine. Detailed logistics will be provided later.
Return Travel: Denmark to Boston
We plan to fly back to Boston on July 14. Participants may be picked up in Boston, or we can help arrange Concord Coach bus transportation to Portland.
Some crew members may choose to stay in Boston to attend part of the Tall Ships Festival (July 11–16). We’re happy to help explore options for attending and finding accommodations.
Any questions? Please email us, thanks!
Tuition Rates for American Participants:
We offer three sliding-scale tuition rates based on household annual income as listed in the registration form:
- $3,700 — Baseline rate: Covers the full cost of the program.
- $4,400 — Supportive rate: A 20% higher rate that helps us offer reduced tuition to participants who need financial assistance.
- $2,960 — Reduced rate: A 20% discounted rate for those who cannot pay the full tuition.
Work trades, farm food exchanges, and financial aid are available.
Please email us to discuss work-trade opportunities. A financial aid form is included within the registration form.
Tuition Rates for International Participants:
Please email us to discuss your tuition rate. We will take into account the cost of your flights to France and Denmark, your annual income, and the cost of living in your home country to determine a tuition rate that works for all.
Fundraising:
We encourage participants to fundraise individually and as a team. We are happy to support your efforts, please email us!
Registration Timeline:
November 18 – December 18: Registration is open.
A $250 deposit is required to reserve your place.
Deposit Information:
A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to hold your spot.
If we are unable to accept you into the program or if the program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Please let us know if you need a payment plan for the deposit or tuition, or if you need the deposit fee waived.
We will email you to confirm once we have received your application and deposit. If the program is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.
Tuition Deadlines:
- March 15: Half of tuition due
- May 15: Full tuition due
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel, please email us no later than one month before your program start date.
- Cancellations 1 month or more before the start date: Refund of tuition minus the $250 deposit.
- Cancellations within 1 month of the start date: Refund of 50% of tuition minus the $250 deposit.
Atlantic Challenge USA reserves the right to cancel programs in cases of emergency, low enrollment, or other circumstances. In the event of program cancellation, all tuition and deposits will be refunded.