Every two years, a dozen nations convene for the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship, a friendly competition and cross cultural gathering where crews showcase their seamanship skills in a series of rowing, sailing, docking, knot tying and navigation events.
Beyond on-the-water skills, the Contest will further global understanding and build friendly ties internationally. It is one small way we can help move quarreling humanity toward a path of cooperation and peace. We believe getting young people together in boats, learning difficult manual skills, competing for shared success and living and eating together for 12 days has the power to transcend cultural, political and linguistic barriers. Indeed, this is the basis for the development of trust, connection and friendship.
Contestants are young adults: all crew members must be over 15; at least half will be under 22.
The Contest events take place in Bantry Bay gigs, which are copies of 18th-century French Navy Captain's gigs. These vessels are 38ft long and are powered by three sails and ten oars. Each nation has their own vessel for the contest.
Lance Lee, of Rockland, Maine, co-founded the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship with Bernard & Michelle Cadoret, of France in 1984 as a way to bring young adults of different cultures together while also preserving traditional seamanship. The first two gigs Liberté and Egalité were built at the Rockport Apprenticeshop, in Rockport, Maine and the first Contest was held in New York City in July 1986.
More than 80 gigs have been built by 16 nations for participation in Atlantic Challenge. Typically 12 nations gather for the biennial Contest of Seamanship. In Belfast, this July 2024, there were three national teams from Belgium, Ireland, and the USA and three mixed international teams from Ontario and Quebec City, Canada; Japan; Indonesia; Ukraine; Basque Country; Denmark; and France.
There has been a Contest every two years from 1986-2018. Atlantic Challenge USA hosted the 2024 Contest.
Beyond on-the-water skills, the Contest will further global understanding and build friendly ties internationally. It is one small way we can help move quarreling humanity toward a path of cooperation and peace. We believe getting young people together in boats, learning difficult manual skills, competing for shared success and living and eating together for 12 days has the power to transcend cultural, political and linguistic barriers. Indeed, this is the basis for the development of trust, connection and friendship.
Contestants are young adults: all crew members must be over 15; at least half will be under 22.
The Contest events take place in Bantry Bay gigs, which are copies of 18th-century French Navy Captain's gigs. These vessels are 38ft long and are powered by three sails and ten oars. Each nation has their own vessel for the contest.
Lance Lee, of Rockland, Maine, co-founded the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship with Bernard & Michelle Cadoret, of France in 1984 as a way to bring young adults of different cultures together while also preserving traditional seamanship. The first two gigs Liberté and Egalité were built at the Rockport Apprenticeshop, in Rockport, Maine and the first Contest was held in New York City in July 1986.
More than 80 gigs have been built by 16 nations for participation in Atlantic Challenge. Typically 12 nations gather for the biennial Contest of Seamanship. In Belfast, this July 2024, there were three national teams from Belgium, Ireland, and the USA and three mixed international teams from Ontario and Quebec City, Canada; Japan; Indonesia; Ukraine; Basque Country; Denmark; and France.
There has been a Contest every two years from 1986-2018. Atlantic Challenge USA hosted the 2024 Contest.
Contest Schedule may change due to weather.
Illustration by Lukas Palumbo
Illustration by Lukas Palumbo
We are still raising money to keep Atlantic Challenge USA, our non profit going beyond hosting this Contest. We also need help to pay for hosting this Contest. We are 93% of the way to our goal of raising $150,000.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
A Typical Contest Day:
7:00––8:00am: Breakfast with all crews
8:30am: Coxswains meeting to learn race event details
9:30––11:30am: Contest Event
12:00–1:30pm: Lunch
1:15pm: Coxswains meeting to learn race event details
2:00––4:00pm: Contest Event
5:15––6:45pm: Dinner with all crews
7:00––10:00pm: All crews gather for socializing––often a crew talent show, live music and dancing.
11pm: Quiet hours in High School; 10pm: Noise Ordinance in City
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to observe and cheer the participants on! Specatators are welcome to our evening social events; tickets by suggested donation $10-20.
7:00––8:00am: Breakfast with all crews
8:30am: Coxswains meeting to learn race event details
9:30––11:30am: Contest Event
12:00–1:30pm: Lunch
1:15pm: Coxswains meeting to learn race event details
2:00––4:00pm: Contest Event
5:15––6:45pm: Dinner with all crews
7:00––10:00pm: All crews gather for socializing––often a crew talent show, live music and dancing.
11pm: Quiet hours in High School; 10pm: Noise Ordinance in City
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to observe and cheer the participants on! Specatators are welcome to our evening social events; tickets by suggested donation $10-20.
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AC Past Contest Locations:
1986––New York City, USA 1988––Douarnenez, France 1990––Roskilde, Denmark 1992––Brest, France 1994––Penetanguishene, Canada 1996––Bantry, Ireland 1998––Roskilde, Denmark 2000––Douarnenez, France 2002––Rockland, Maine, USA |
2004––Fishguard, UK
2006––Genova, Italy 2008––Jakobstad, Finland 2010––Midland, Canada 2012––Bantry, Ireland 2014––Sené, France 2016––Roskilde, Denmark 2018––Northern Ireland **2020 + 2022** ––Planned for St. Petersburg, Russia, but could not happen. 2024––Belfast, Maine, USA 2026 - In planning for Brittany, France 2028 - In planning for Bantry, Ireland |
CONTEST OF SEAMANSHIP EVENTS
Contests for the Atlantic Challenge Trophy:
1. Rowing Race
Rowed over a straight course of about 2 nautical miles. This is a timed event, the fastest boat wins and it is a great test of endurance and technique under pressure.
2. Sailing Race
This race is on a triangular course with a reaching start, a jibe mark and a shorter upwind leg to test the ability of the crew to pilot their gigs to windward. The course is typically about 3 nautical miles in length, with two times around the course.
3. Oar & Sail Race
This race is run over a triangular course of about 3 miles. The crews must row one leg into the wind, typically a a half mile or three quarters of a mile, and then transition to sail, where the oars are shipped into the gig, the masts are raised, and sails set for the other two legs, typically a reach and a jibe mark rounding. Two times around the course is typical.
4. Crew Overboard
Crew must recover a crew overboard using any means possible. Penalties may be awarded for technical infringements. The course is typically run under oars, but under sail is possible. A crew member from another nation comes aboard and when the gig enters a specific zone, they can choose when to hop overboard. The team works quickly to stop the boat and recover the crew member and race to the finish. The fastest gig wins.
5. Slalom
Two gigs race under oars around a two parallel buoyed slalom courses without a rudder. The gig is steered with oars only and ‘faults’ are given for hitting the buoys. The event is decided on faults, followed by timings.
6. Jackstay Transfer
Crews transfer a package within a bag from shore to gig using heaving lines and jackstay. This replicates the original role of the gigs in the 18th century to service naval vessels with important messages. The event is decided on faults, followed by timings.
7. Navigation
Practical navigation exercise afloat in the gigs to test the crew in basic navigational skills. Crews are given a set of directions with two course headings and two distances to travel. The crews must determine their speed and time to determine the distance and drop a buoy at the final destination. From there, they must determine the latitude and longitude of the buoy. The event is decided on the accuracy of the crews in completing the allotted task.
8. Knots and Splices
Crew members will demonstrate their skill in knot tying, splicing, whipping and seizing ropes. These skills are still constantly drawn upon for use in the gig, tying up to a dock, or pier, and the ongoing maintenance and repair of the gig’s rigging.
9. Passage
Crew members choose whether to row or sail during a race of an extended length.
Contests for the Lance Lee Trophy:
10. Captain’s Gig
This is a docking in style event. A person is picked up by each crew from a dock and put aboard another vessel moored offshore or to another dock or pier, and returned to shore again. Crews are marked on their skill and technique in handling the boat, themselves and the sea conditions confronted. This event recreates the day-to-day role of the gigs in providing transport for the Captains and Admirals commanding the fleet.
10. L'Esprit
Mixed international crews sail, row, and navigate together under sail. Language barriers are common. This event naturally tests the abilities, teamwork and adaptability of those taking part in the Atlantic Challenge. It's a great way to get to know other nation's crew members.
The Spirit of Atlantic Challenge Trophy
For the team that demonstrates the most Spirit of Atlantic Challenge. The spirit of AC is international friendship, and cooperation; not competition. This award is voted for by all the participating crews.
The John Kerr Award for Best Seamanship
Presented to the team showing the best practice in all aspects of seamanship, both during and outside events when the gigs are in general use.
Contests for the Atlantic Challenge Trophy:
1. Rowing Race
Rowed over a straight course of about 2 nautical miles. This is a timed event, the fastest boat wins and it is a great test of endurance and technique under pressure.
2. Sailing Race
This race is on a triangular course with a reaching start, a jibe mark and a shorter upwind leg to test the ability of the crew to pilot their gigs to windward. The course is typically about 3 nautical miles in length, with two times around the course.
3. Oar & Sail Race
This race is run over a triangular course of about 3 miles. The crews must row one leg into the wind, typically a a half mile or three quarters of a mile, and then transition to sail, where the oars are shipped into the gig, the masts are raised, and sails set for the other two legs, typically a reach and a jibe mark rounding. Two times around the course is typical.
4. Crew Overboard
Crew must recover a crew overboard using any means possible. Penalties may be awarded for technical infringements. The course is typically run under oars, but under sail is possible. A crew member from another nation comes aboard and when the gig enters a specific zone, they can choose when to hop overboard. The team works quickly to stop the boat and recover the crew member and race to the finish. The fastest gig wins.
5. Slalom
Two gigs race under oars around a two parallel buoyed slalom courses without a rudder. The gig is steered with oars only and ‘faults’ are given for hitting the buoys. The event is decided on faults, followed by timings.
6. Jackstay Transfer
Crews transfer a package within a bag from shore to gig using heaving lines and jackstay. This replicates the original role of the gigs in the 18th century to service naval vessels with important messages. The event is decided on faults, followed by timings.
7. Navigation
Practical navigation exercise afloat in the gigs to test the crew in basic navigational skills. Crews are given a set of directions with two course headings and two distances to travel. The crews must determine their speed and time to determine the distance and drop a buoy at the final destination. From there, they must determine the latitude and longitude of the buoy. The event is decided on the accuracy of the crews in completing the allotted task.
8. Knots and Splices
Crew members will demonstrate their skill in knot tying, splicing, whipping and seizing ropes. These skills are still constantly drawn upon for use in the gig, tying up to a dock, or pier, and the ongoing maintenance and repair of the gig’s rigging.
9. Passage
Crew members choose whether to row or sail during a race of an extended length.
Contests for the Lance Lee Trophy:
10. Captain’s Gig
This is a docking in style event. A person is picked up by each crew from a dock and put aboard another vessel moored offshore or to another dock or pier, and returned to shore again. Crews are marked on their skill and technique in handling the boat, themselves and the sea conditions confronted. This event recreates the day-to-day role of the gigs in providing transport for the Captains and Admirals commanding the fleet.
10. L'Esprit
Mixed international crews sail, row, and navigate together under sail. Language barriers are common. This event naturally tests the abilities, teamwork and adaptability of those taking part in the Atlantic Challenge. It's a great way to get to know other nation's crew members.
The Spirit of Atlantic Challenge Trophy
For the team that demonstrates the most Spirit of Atlantic Challenge. The spirit of AC is international friendship, and cooperation; not competition. This award is voted for by all the participating crews.
The John Kerr Award for Best Seamanship
Presented to the team showing the best practice in all aspects of seamanship, both during and outside events when the gigs are in general use.
