2026 Scheme Underway

The days aboard Swan enabled many young people, aged 15-25 years, to learn about sail training, and what it would be like to take part in the Tall Ships Races. Trainees from all over Shetland took part and the feedback, both from the Swan crew and the trainees, was overwhelmingly positive.

Trainee feedback about the taster days included:

This experience has given me a glimpse into a new environment and has shown me that whilst new things may feel a little daunting at first, they can be the most amazing opportunities.

Amazing, exhilarating, definitely tying again!

After today I feel excited at the possibility of new things, confident that I can learn new skills and have a great time in the company of new people!

I feel inspired to go out and try other experiences to push myself out of my comfort zone.

Fun, exciting, educational, motivating and interesting.

The taster day has made me so much more at ease with trying hard things and accepting the trials and tribulations. I love how much I’ve learnt today and all the people I’ve met!

I’ve learnt that meeting new people isn’t actually that scary, this has given me so much more confidence.

I will pursue sailing in other contexts because I have enjoyed it so much!

A 10/10 experience that everyone should take the chance to try.

As well as offering a day’s learning aboard Swan, the experience allowed Sail Training Shetland to get to know more about the trainees and select sixteen of those taking part to participate in the second stage of their programme – taking part in Sail Training International’s Tall Ships Races in July 2026.

Six trainees will join the Norwegian Class A tall ship Sørlandet and ten will be placed aboard Swan for Race 3 of the Tall Ships races between Stavanger in Norway and Aalborg in Denmark. These longer trips offer the opportunity for international travel, friendships and festivals in host ports.

Melanie Henderson, Chair of Sail Training Shetland, said: “ Even though the sailing was limited due to the extreme weather during the taster days, the enthusiasm from the trainees was incredible and their feedback demonstrates the benefits of this type of experience, as well as the great work of the Swan crew to engage and inspire those aboard. Shetland is so lucky to have a community resource like Swan, and seeing how the trainees engaged with the vessel, crew and each other was really inspiring.

The enthusiasm and teamwork from all who took part made it really hard to pick just sixteen to go onto our longer placements for the Tall Ships Races. We would encourage those who have not been successful in securing a longer placement this year to apply again next year.

We are really looking forward working with the successful trainees in the lead up to their placements and hearing about their Tall Ships Races adventures. As we have seen time and again, sail training really is a life changing experience, and that is what inspires us as a volunteer committee to dedicate our time to providing these opportunities for our young people.”

The Committee would like to thank all its supporters, including the main sponsor for this year’s scheme, Arven Offshore Windfarm.

If you would like to sponsor our annual programme, check out our sponsors page

Anyone can help support Sail Training Shetland by making a donation online via our Local Giving page