The biennial Contest of Seamanship
Every two years, gigs from each of the growing number of member nations are brought together in a different host country for a week’s friendly competition. The last two international contests have been hosted in Morbihan, Brittany, in 2014 and in Roskilde, Denmark in 2016.
If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.
Dr Samuel Johnson
St. Petersburg
In 2020, the Atlantic Challenge biennial contest of Seamanship will be staged in St. Petersburg, Russia. The AC GB team of 20 will take part in several events, including sailing races, rowing races, man overboard under sail, rowing slalom without rudder, ropework, jackstay transfer and navigation. The international friendships that result from the contest are one of its finest aspects.
Young people from all the participating nations live together for over a week, with communal meals and evening get-togethers. Former crew members renew old friendships and new members mingle with their counterparts from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Holland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Russia, and the United States. In some small way Atlantic Challenge endeavours, with these ‘Ambassadors in Seaboots’, to help sow the seeds of tomorrow’s international community.
