Founded in Kerlouan, Brittany, the Gward an Aod association works to update and preserve ancestral Breton maritime traditions, while promoting the human values inseparably linked to them.
By bringing together a number of associations dedicated to historical re-enactment and engaging in experimental archaeology, Gward an Aod is committed to reconstructing currac'h boats from the early Middle Ages and organizing authentic expeditions.
The reconstruction of historic boats
One of Gward an Aod's main objectives is to bring back to life boats from Brittany's maritime history. The association is renowned for building and restoring faithful replicas of old boats.
Starting with Brioc, an early medieval currac'h inspired by naval archeologist Tim Severin's Saint Brendan. This replica, rigged with two square sails, was built in 1999 by Louis Bocquenet and a team of passionate craftsmen, using traditional materials such as wood, skins and linen sails. The project, carried out as part of a "chantier d'insertion", brought together people from diverse backgrounds around a shared passion for history and sailing.
Brioc is one of the few ocean-going currac'hs still sailing today, and its history is inextricably linked with that of the sailing monks who used these boats to cross the seas and spread Christianity.
After the Brioc, Gward an Aod began building the replica of the Aileach a Scottish boat whose design dates back to the Middle Ages.
Expeditions that combine history and adventure
The expeditions proposed by Gward an Aod also offer the opportunity to relive history through the practice of old-fashioned navigation, using forgotten techniques. For example, in 2018, the association's crew embarked on a tour of Brittany aboard the Brioc, calling at some of Finistère's most emblematic locations.
On board, the sailors were able to experience the currac'h's special features: '' We tested the qualities of the currac'h, which proved to be surprising. It doesn't lift much, and the problem gets worse if the wind freshens. On the other hand, its flexibility allows swell to pass through, saving us from getting soaked, and its stability is beyond doubt. Its lateral daggerboard system allows us the most heavenly anchorages, as it can run aground without the slightest inconvenience. Speed doesn't seem to be her strong point, but we're making over four knots around Bréhat, and are making around six knots in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. Above all, the Brioc has the advantage of making headway in very light airs. ''
In 2020, the Brioc embarked on a new expedition to Ushant, where the crew sailed with linen sails and hemp ropes, in a constant effort to respect the boat's historic character.
From the Glénan archipelago to the island of Ouessant, the crew sailed in sometimes difficult conditions: '' We had to slave away on the oars before reaching the Pointe du Toulinguet, and set a course to the south in a squall that was enough to make you lose hope! But as the sun declined, a steady wind picked up and finally pushed Brioc, sails in scissors, heaps of weight as far as Cap de la Chèvre. Barely launched, the rudder rope gives way again, breaking the helm. While the trajectory is maintained thanks to sculling, a rope is put back in place and the remainder of the helm is hacked out of place. The repairs and the wind held out as the boat crossed the Bay of Douarnenez under the stars, all the way to the finish behind Tristan Island. ''
A human voyage above all
Gward an Aod encourages its members to get involved in all aspects of sailing, from boat building and maintenance to the expeditions themselves, which are great moments of sharing.
Sailing on a historic boat is a human adventure. '' It's a challenge, an experience, a creation and a lot of passion. We had to build an eleven-meter coracle in four months, and get people who didn't know each other to work together. Each one bringing with him a story to tell louis Bocquenet said in 1999 about the construction of the Brioc. This quote sums up the spirit of the association: a desire to bring together people from all walks of life around a passion for the sea and history.
The members of the association continue to take turns on projects and expeditions. They are keen to share their passion for the sea and to introduce a wide audience to ancestral sailing techniques. Whether aboard the Brioc or other boats, the adventure continues with the same fervor and the same desire to revive an exceptional maritime heritage.
