BALTIC CHALLENGE 2006

The idea of of exchange our experience and cooperative training was discussed many times. We propose to make this happen in Russia in Summer, 2006. Every Summer in Russia we have a training camp and friendly contest, which we named Baltic Challenge. We held this since 2002, when we have launched our second gig which made possible racing two gigs and encroached our activities very much. So, we have 4-year experience in organising this event. We are inviting teams with their boats to join our annual activity to exchange and share knowledge and skills.

During Baltic Challenge program the participants will develop seamanship and teamwork skills, visit Russian historic sites, experience real offshore adventure within international youth crew. During the session international youth will form two (or more) crews which will challenge each other skills using graceful Bantry Bay gig. The program is meant to bring together youth from different countries to learn in action about Atlantic Challenge.

What: The Baltic Challenge is a 10 days training session and a friendly seamanship contest based on a Totleben island 18 miles west of St.Petersburg, Russia.

When: August 1-10, 2006

Where: St. Petersburg , Russia

We invite: young team 15-25 years old from 5 up to 20 people with/without your boat

The Baltic Challenge programm includes:
• forming international crews
• sailing and rowing Bantry Bay gigs and other types of boats, firstly – to learn seamanship and international teamwork, and than – to check new experience in races
• take part in traditional AC-events (as rowing race, slalom, oars and sail race), trying “Russian events” (marathon race, freestyle race), creating and experimenting new events
• improving communicative skill acting as a part of international crew
• exploring beautiful city of St. Petersburg from the water
• exploring water and fortresses of the Gulf of Finland during one-day expeditions
• taking part in restoration work on fortress
• share the ideas, tradition and culture of different nations in sailing, working, cooking

Cost: Approx. 200 EUR per person (to be paid in cash on a first day of seminar). Cost consists of expenses on ordering “Invitation” (need to obtain a Russian visa), food, support expenses (safety and medical measures, support boat service)

ACCOMMODATION NOTES
To visit Russia we will have to obtain Russian visa. To obtain visa you have to receive an Invitation Letter from us which specifies you name and passport detailes. To make such letter we need to know your detailes 4 weeks prior to your arrival. Some tourist agencies may offer you other and easier ways, but this is more costly. You may travel to StPetersburg by direct flight from Europe , by train, by bus or by car – better through Finland . It is about 6 hours driving from Helsinki and StPetersburg, and there are ferry lines to Helsinki from everywhere in Europe . You may deliver your boat by car and traler, or in container, or on a lorry. We propose car and a a trailor way through Finland to be the best. We will find more detailed information (custom clearance cost and requirements) for you as soon as we will know, which way you've chosen.

The participants of the program are inspected to arrive one-two days before the starting date (20 th of July). We promise to meet you at you arrival point in St.Petersburg. The first day of camp is a trip to Totleben to make a camp.

The main activities of the seminar will be based on an artificial island in the Gulf of Finland . This island was built as a fort in 1897 to protect the northern water passage to the city of St.Petersburg and was named Totleben after one of famous Russian fortificator - Count Totleben. During the seminar participants will live in a campsite conditions, will help to prepare the day's meals, share various camp chores on a rotating basis.

We will live for 7-8 days on an artificial island in a tents, which have to be brought by a participants (or we can reserve a space for you in our tents, but please – tell us before you arrive). There is no running water or electricity on an island but as we have experienced during last summers that even 14-years old city kids can handle it just fine.

7.00 – Wake up.
7.05 – 7.45 . Rowing around fortress (0,5 mile), swimming.
8.00 – Breakfast
9.00. – 13.00 Sea time/ Events time
14.00 – Lunch (simple hot food)
‘till 15.30 – Rest hour
15.30 – 19.30 Sea time/Events time
20.00 – Supper
21.00 – 22.30. Free time. (Sailing small craft, sport games, photo sessions, walks, songs)
22.30 – Tea
23.00 – Quiet period starts

Two or three tmes we plan to replace event(sea) time with working hours, helping Totleben' team to restore the fortress. We also plan to arrange at least 2 day-trips – to Kronshtad island and around all small foretresses. At the last day of this session on Totleben we plan to have a marathon race to StPetersburg, and day after arriving spent in City, taking part in parade, and in boat trip along beautiful rivers and channels of StPeterburg. Nights between this days we plan to accommodate all participants in shore base.

For more information please contact:
AC Russia Executive Director Zlata Bredova morsovet@peterlink.ru
Russian Trustee in AC International Michael Plekhanov mplekhan@yandex.ru

If you decide to become a participant, have questions or thinking about it – let us know!!!!