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 have included young people from Russia, France, Italy, Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Indonesia, Denmark and the United States.

In June of 2006 the Apprenticeshop in Rockland helped support the U.S. gig team of 20 youth from around the country who were training to compete in the international contest in Genoa, Italy.

If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Challenge International Seamanship, please email Lee Scarbrough in Harwich Port, Massachusetts: leescarbro@hotmail.com.