ACI is a community of young people practicing traditional seamanship in modern times
history
when it all started…
Atlantic Challenge International began in 1984 with the belief that youth and the nations they represent gain immeasurably from direct, exhilarating experience; from immersion in skilled enterprise, and most of all from contact with their peers in other cultures through such experience. Bernard Cadoret, of France, and Lance Lee founded Atlantic Challenge initially for youth from both sides of the Atlantic to come to know each other through a friendly contest and to preserve and sustain traditional seamanship skills. The first two gigs were built at the Rockport, Maine, USA. The first International Contest was held between the USA and France in New York with the Statue of Liberty as the back drop in 1986.
The gigs…
The original longboat, also known as an admiral’s barge, was built in Brest, France over 200 years ago. The boat is similar to the Captain’s gigs used at that time by the navies of France, Sweden, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the USA. Today the gig is the featured exhibit in the National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire, near Dublin.
During the early winter of 1796, revolutionary France sent off a naval force to support Irish patriots in their struggle with England. A gale dispersed the fleet, but most of the vessels finally arrived at the rendezvous at Mizzenhead, off the Southwest tip of Ireland.
Just as the fleet was regrouping, another storm blew in. On the evening of December 22nd, La Resolue, at 134ft. long x 34ft wide, was hit and severely damaged during the storm by La Redoutable, another ship from the same fleet. La Resolue standing off Bantry Bay on December 24th, her longboat, commanded by Lieutenant Proteau, was dispatched to locate the commander of La Immortalite and request a tow. While attempting this risky trip, the longboat was driven ashore on Bere Island and the crew captured. She remains in Ireland to this day. Built as an admiral’s gig c.1790, she is the oldest surviving vessel in the French Navy.
The vision…
The vision of Atlantic Challenge stems from the educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn (1886–1974) and following World War II, he inspired former enemies to send their youth to sea together in the early 1950s aboard the barques Pamir and Passat, in which German, Italian and British youths delivered freight under sail. Similarly, Lee and Cadoret initiated Atlantic Challenge with the intention, as Lee has stated, “to nurture understanding, ties, and friendship, internationally. This is achieved through learning swift and competent handling of the gigs; to engage in high hurdles, not low ones. Atlantic’s goal is to build citizens.”To remedy the Six Declines Hahn recognised as affecting modern society, he worked to develop in the students certain character traits including: “Confidence in effort, modesty in success, grace in defeat, fairness in anger, clear judgment even in the bitterness of wounded pride, and readiness for service at all times.”
How it grew…
Since Atlantic Challenge was started more than 30 years ago, 80 Bantry Bay gigs have been built or acquired by at least 15 countries and distinctive cultural regions.
Atlantic Challenge continues to grow by standing by this principal - Build or acquire a Bantry Bay gig, form a youthful seamanship circle, and join in friendly international contests every two years.
Mission
We are an international experiential education organization operating in many nations. Atlantic Challenge International programs practice, share, and encourage the rise of the skills of the sea including boat building, sailing, rowing, and seamanship. Its activities bring youth together with the intent of fostering cultural and global understanding.
Goals
We aim to encourage and stimulate:
01. Maritime Heritage
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We want to maintain the interest in our rich maritime heritage.
02. International
community
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We bring nations together and encourage international friendships. The exchange between nations creates the most interesting dynamics.
03. the spirit of
adventure
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ACI takes you all over the world on an unique adventure.
04. development through challenge
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Different kinds of knowledge and skills are tested during the challenge. It encourages young people to take initiative and be creative, to be perseverant and confident, to be responsible while having fun.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind,
but I can adjust my sails
to always reach my destination”
