“Our dream is to see traditional small craft in service in our inshore waters and as an educational bridge between many nations in our future.”
–– Lance Lee, co-founder of Atlantic Challenge, September 1988
–– Lance Lee, co-founder of Atlantic Challenge, September 1988
AC was hosted in Douarnenez, France in 2000 in conjunction with another maritime gathering, Defi Jeunes Marins.
The Atlantic Challenge Contest of Seamanship was started in 1984 by Lance Lee of the USA and Bernard Cadoret of France, as a way to bring young adults of different cultures together for a friendly Contest of Seamanship, and as a way to revive traditional small craft activity on both sides of the Atlantic. The first Contest of Seamanship was held in New York City in 1986 between France and the US. Now there are 16 nations involved with more than 80 gigs built in the last 30 years.
The next Contests will be held in:
St. Petersburg, Russia during the last week of July and first week of August 2022.
Belfast, Maine during the third week of July 2024.
Atlantic Challenge USA seeks participants to join Team USA for both Contests. Ages are typically 15-21 years old, with a handful of mid to late 20 year olds. No prior experience necessary. Team USA trains for two and a half weeks before going to the weeklong Contest.
Applications will be posted in the fall of 2021. If you have any questions, please inquire.
The next Contests will be held in:
St. Petersburg, Russia during the last week of July and first week of August 2022.
Belfast, Maine during the third week of July 2024.
Atlantic Challenge USA seeks participants to join Team USA for both Contests. Ages are typically 15-21 years old, with a handful of mid to late 20 year olds. No prior experience necessary. Team USA trains for two and a half weeks before going to the weeklong Contest.
Applications will be posted in the fall of 2021. If you have any questions, please inquire.
A Typical* Contest Day:
*Schedule will certainly change. These times are rough estimates.
7:00–8:00am: Breakfast in a large cafeteria with all crews
9:30––11:30am: Event
12:30–1:30pm: Lunch typically with Team USA, picnic-style near the boat/water
3:00–5:00pm: Event
5:30-6:30pm: Dinner with all crews
7:00-7:30pm: Team USA crew check-in
8:00-10:00pm: All crews gather for socializing––often a crew talent show, or games, music or dancing
11pm: Team USA to bed
*Schedule will certainly change. These times are rough estimates.
7:00–8:00am: Breakfast in a large cafeteria with all crews
9:30––11:30am: Event
12:30–1:30pm: Lunch typically with Team USA, picnic-style near the boat/water
3:00–5:00pm: Event
5:30-6:30pm: Dinner with all crews
7:00-7:30pm: Team USA crew check-in
8:00-10:00pm: All crews gather for socializing––often a crew talent show, or games, music or dancing
11pm: Team USA to bed
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 2022––St. Petersburg, Russia 2024––Belfast, Maine |
Next Contest 2022: St. Petersburg, Russia
