Our Crew

Join the Crew

If you are aged 16 or over, with a spirit of adventure, you can apply for a place in the crew. You will experience many new and unique challenges representing your country at this International Contest. You will enjoy learning how to handle the gig and we will teach you ropework, navigation and how to perform traditional manoeuvres under oars and sail. Atlantic Challenge gigs cast a spell over all who sail in them – their long waterline length of 38 feet, means astonishing speeds can be gained both under sail or oar.
Full details are in our Crew Information Pack. If you wish to apply, please complete the Application Form and submit by the closing date – 25 March, 2023.

Intégrité has taken part in Atlantic Challenge since 1992. First of all with a team drawn from across the UK, and from the 2010 contest with a team from just Great Britain (Northern Ireland are now International Members in their own right).

Throughout this time, it has always been our belief that the team of young people that travels to Atlantic Challenge should represent the whole of the UK/GB, rather than just a single town or city. Therefore, our teams for the contest have always been drawn from England, Scotland and Wales (and Northern Ireland from 1992 to 2008).

ACGB crew practicing rowing skills on board Intégrité in Portland harbour, during training for the 2018 contest.

Atlantic Challenge has an emphasis on youth and young people. Accordingly, at least half the squad is 22 years old or younger, and the minimum age is 16. We also do our best to take a team with a roughly equal gender split.

Finally, we have a belief that we have a duty to pass on the seamanship skills to use the Bantry Bay gigs that our crews have learnt and developed over the years. Crew often take part in more than one contest, allowing their experience to be passed onto others as they assume greater responsibility with each passing event. At the same time, we want to see new people in the gigs and so we actively encourage people to apply for Atlantic Challenge who have little or no experience of rowing or sailing, alongside those who come from an established rowing, sailing or boatbuilding background.