Pacific Challenge 09

Competition began Saturday, May 20 at Cap Sante Boat Haven among crews involved in the 2009 Pacific Challenge. Vessels included the Elizabeth Bonaventure, Anacortes; Bear, Port Townsend; Bounty of Krister, Vashon Island; Elder Spirit, Olympia; Verite, Tacoma; Tuvaaq, Kent. Competition continues Sunday, May 31. According to pacificchallenge.com, “The first International Pacific Challenge was held in Port Townsend in 1992. The maritime activities were organized that year around the bicentennial celebration of Captain George Vancouver’s explorations of the Puget Sound. Three boats ‘competed’ in 1992; the following year the number of competing boats doubled to six. The Pacific Challenge has now grown in include up to fifteen boats representing eight communities around Puget Sound as well as Sooke, British Columbia. The annual event, hosted each year by a different port community, is designed to test the nautical skills and knowledge of young mariners aged 14-18 aboard traditional wooden longboats and gigs. Long boats are 26 feet long with a 7 foot beam. They row with 11′ to 13′ oars and eight to ten rowers per boat. Longboats also sail using dipping lugsails. The weekend event brings together youth, their maritime mentors, and community supporters. The competition celebrates the team