Every two years, a dozen nations convene for a friendly competition and cross cultural gathering were crews showcase their seamanship skills in a series of rowing, sailing, docking, knot tying and navigation events, and build friendly ties with the international crews.
Beyond on-the-water skills, the Contest will further global understanding and build friendly ties internationally. 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 the 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.
There has been a Contest every two years from 1986-2018. Atlantic Challenge USA is hosting the 2024 Contest.
At Camden Library’s Amphitheater, Mick Delap, a writer, historian and avid sailor in retirement after a career in journalism at the BBC, and Apprenticeshop founder Lance Lee will host an interestingly presented history of the Bantry Bay Gigs of International Atlantic Challenge fame.
Delap, with a cast of actors, will perform a theatrical version of important moments in the gigs’ history accompanied by a duo from Belfast, Maine who will play Irish music on authentic instruments.
Following that, Lee will describe the modern history of the gig after it was “rediscovered” in 1944 and he’ll talk about the beginnings of the Atlantic Challenge and its mission to further international camaraderie among sailors. Following his presentation, he will invite the audience for a close look at a model of a gig that he will bring for the Q&A session.
FMI:
Email Cayla at the Camden Public Library [email protected]
Email Heidi Kaufmann at [email protected] or call her at 207 326 9386.
Come to WoodenBoat’s Brooklin campus where Mick Delap, a writer, historian and avid sailor in retirement after a career in journalism at the BBC, and Apprenticeshop founder Lance Lee will host an interestingly presented history of the Bantry Bay Gigs of International Atlantic Challenge fame.
Delap, with a cast of actors, will perform a theatrical version of important moments in the gigs’ history accompanied by a duo from Belfast, Maine who will play Irish music on authentic instruments.
Following that, Lee will describe the modern history of the gig after it was “rediscovered” in 1944 and he’ll talk about the beginnings of the Atlantic Challenge and its mission to further international camaraderie among sailors. Following his presentation, he will invite the audience for a close look at a model of a gig that he will bring for the Q&A session.
FMI: Email Heidi Kaufmann at [email protected] or call her at 207 326 9386.
