The Sea Challenge program is one of the primary reasons we raise money. Since 1998, Sail Portsmouth has enabled hundreds of high school students to benefit from sail training, an experiential/adventure education program held at sea aboard working tall ships. Sail training programs similar to Sea Challenge are held around the world for students of all ages. Sea Challenge focuses on underserved high school students from the New Hampshire Seacoast. Each Sea Challenge student crew is made up of youth from a diverse set of backgrounds.
“Sea Challenge students learn what they can do, not what they’ve been told they cannot do.”
– Chad Chadwick, Former Board Chair, Sail Portsmouth
- Not every young person has an equal chance in life.
- On a Sea Challenge voyage, every individual is as important as the next.
- They learn about living with strangers 24/7 on a traditionally rigged vessel .
- They learn to work with their shipmates.
- They assume responsibility for the ship and their mates.
- They learn basic seamanship skills, but mostly they learn about themselves.
- They learn to overcome their fears, to work as a team, and to truly care about the mates.
- Sea Challenge alums think the experience is, “awesome”, “fun” and, even, “life changing”.
Once you donate, you automatically become a Sail Portsmouth member until the end of 2024. You will receive our digital newsletter and notices of coming events via email.
Sail Portsmouth is a registered 501(c)(3) and our ID Number is 02-0496393. All monetary and in-kind donations are tax-deductible. Sail Portsmouth can provide official documentation upon request.
