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New summer sail training adventures now available!
Stage 1:
Taster Day Sails, Shetland (open to ages 15 - 25) 17 – 20 April 2025
Back by popular demand! Try an experience of sailing on Shetland’s own tall ship, Swan to get a taster of adventure at sea and being onboard a working tall ship.
This is a selection event aimed at those considering taking part in the Tall Ship Races in 2025 (Stage 2). The day sails offer just a small taste of a longer passage at sea, enabling you to learn about working a boat, including working sails, watch systems, taking the helm, and basic navigation.
You will get to experience traditional sailing, meet others who have done it before, try a new challenge and learn more about taking part in The Tall Ships Races.
There are no costs involved for taking part in the taster days.
Stage 2:
The Tall Ships Races 2025
With the Tall Ships Races 2025 stopping close to home in the Port of Aberdeen, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to get young people in Shetland involved! Participating in the internationally renowned festival, The Tall Ship Races 2025 will take in all the North Sea and Scandinavia has to offer. The legendary Tall Ships Races delivers international fun, friendship, action-packed racing, and festival experiences.
Race Three & Cruise in Company, The Tall Ships Races
ABERDEEN - Scotland ❘ KRISTIANSAND - Norway
Sunday 20 July to Saturday 2 August (13 nights) onboard a UK, Norwegian or German Tall Ship
After nearly three decades, the spectacular event returns to Aberdeen and will transform the city’s inner harbour into a vibrant ‘forest of masts’ as it welcomes over 50 magnificent tall ships from around the globe. You’ll then get the chance to experience the best of both worlds as you’ll take part in both a race across the North Sea, and the cruise in company as you make your way around the beautiful Norwegian coast to Kristiansand. Once in port, experience the buzz of the festival from a port who last hosted the races in 2015, so there is sure to be fantastic concerts, parties and of course the famous crew parade!
OR
Race Four, The Tall Ships Races
KRISTIANSAND - Norway ❘ ESBJERG - Denmark ❘ LERWICK - Shetland
Thursday 31 July to Wednesday 13 August (13 nights) onboard Swan
Join Shetland’s very own Tall Ship for an exciting race from Kristiansand, crossing the Skagerrak to Esbjerg in Denmark. Both ports are sure to put on a fantastic event steeped in their rich maritime heritage as both have hosted the races several times before. In Esbjerg, known for its many cultural attractions and strong links to the North Sea, you’ll get to participate in all the host port activities including crew parade and party before setting sail on Swan back to Lerwick.
Applicants must be 15 years of age on 18 July 2025, the start of The Tall Ships Races 2025 event series. The upper age limit is 25 years at the time of travel.
Key notes:
- Dates are approximate, inclusive of travel estimated between embarkation and disembarkation ports.
- No previous sailing experience is necessary.
- We welcome applications from those who have applied previously.
- You must have, out-with any term time, a ZE postcode to apply.
- Successful applicants may be required to travel both via ferry and/or flights to meet their ship. Although you will be travelling as part of a small group, you will nonetheless need a degree of self-reliance during the trip.
- If you are selected for a Tall Ships placement, a personal contribution of £350 towards your voyage is needed. If the personal contribution is a barrier to applying for a placement, please get in touch with us so we can discuss alternative ways to support your application.
Applications are open now for online submissions and the closing date is Friday 28 March , 5pm.
Please carefully read our scheme guidance notes and supporting information before completing your application.
