Programs
The joint founders of Atlantic Challenge, Lance Lee and Bernard Cadoret, selected a ship’s longboat from the 18th century as the primary vehicle for the program. Each Atlantic Challenge organization, whether it be national, regional, or local, maintains a gig and operates independently with unique programs and activities for youth and adults in their communities. Often the building of a gig is as inspiring and galvanizing to a community as its eventual use. We invite you to visit each international site to learn more about what each group has accomplished and the activities offered. Every two years, participants from member nations gather in one of the host countries to participate in friendly contests of seamanship, sportsmanship, and style. To date these programs have been hosted in: New York, USA-’86, Dournenez, France-’88, Roskilde, Denmark – ’90, Brest, France- ’92, Penetang, Canada- 94, Bantry Ireland- ’96, Roskilde, Denmark – ’98, Dournenez, France- ’00, and Rockland, Maine, USA- ’02, Fishguard-Goodwick, UK- ’04, Genoa, Italy- ’06.

Besides our biennual contests, many Atlantic Challenge projects have been joint efforts between two or more countries. Americans from Lance Lee’s apprenticeshop helped Russia build a boatbuilding shop in the early 90’s. The Russians have recently sent a coxswain to help train a new Finnish crew. Italian and French apprentices have helped build American gigs. We believe that each of these small exchanges helps bring our world a little closer together.