In 1984 Bernard Cadoret of France and Lance Lee, founder of Atlantic Challenge and the Apprenticeshop, joined together to create the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship. Their aim was to foster a contest that embraced traditional seamanship and allowed youths to experience the sea, history and most importantly, each other. After much research, they decided on the Bantry Bay Gig or French Admiral’s barge, an 18th century type that was used to transport people or goods from ship to shore. The boat’s design requires a skilled crew of 13 to work together like a well-oiled machine. The first contest was held in New York in 1986 with only two gigs. Competitions have since taken place biennially and include young people from countries such as Russia, France, Italy, Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Indonesia, and Denmark.

AC supports the U.S. gig team, and in June of 2006, we will welcome the crew here in Rockland. The team consists of 20 youth from around the country who will spend three weeks to train together in preparation for the international contest in Genoa, Italy which begins July 14th.

Preparing the gig Communauté for training, making a new set of oars, getting Greens Island ready for team training, and making sure the crew is safely away to Genoa takes coordination, time, and other contributions. We could use some help with these projects; if you are interested in learning more, please give us a call.