Applications Open for 2025 Tall Ships Races Adventures
Applications are being invited from young people aged 15 – 25 to take part in The Tall Ships Races 2025 this summer. Young people from all over Shetland can apply, with a series of free Taster Day Sails available on Swan to whet the appetite.
Stage one of the selection process will take place in April, with trainees taking part in an adventure packed day sail at home onboard Shetland's own tall ship, Swan. This will give young people the chance to have a glimpse into life at sea and understand what the spirit of sail training provides.
Stage two will see a smaller number of young Shetlanders selected to participate in an inspiring, action-packed voyage, taking part in Race 3 or 4 of the Tall Ship Races 2025. These unique experiences offer the opportunity for travel, international friendships, and festivals in host ports.
Melanie Henderson, Chair of Sail Training Shetland, explains more: “Our sail training taster days aboard Swan are very popular, and provide a great training experience for up to 40 young people. These days also allow us to assess those taking part for our annual Tall Ships Races placements. This year we have 16 placements on offer, with six young people taking part in Race 3 and ten in Race 4.”
Absolutely no sailing experience is needed to take part in either the day sails or the Tall Ships Races, just a keen sense of adventure and a willingness to try something new. Trainees work under the guidance of the ship’s crew to learn a wide range of hands-on skills, such as watch-keeping, setting sails and other on-board domestic duties.
Both Tall Ships Races experiences will last around 13 nights, giving the trainees a good mix of sailing days and in port celebrations.
Those taking part in Race 3 will meet their vessels in Aberdeen, joining larger international crews for a truly international experience. Leaving in a parade of sail on 22nd July they will take part in Race 3, followed by a cruise in company to Kristiansand in Norway. Here they will enjoy the in port celebrations before leaving their ships in Kristiansand to travel home.
Those taking part in Race 4 will join Shetland's own Tall Ship, Swan, in Kristiansand before taking part in the race to Esberg in Denmark. Here they will experience what the host port has to offer before sailing back home to Shetland aboard Swan.
Melanie Henderson, Chair of Sail Training Shetland said: “We are looking for trainees across the age range of 15 - 25 to take part in our 2025 Tall Ships Races opportunities, and may place the more experienced travellers in Race 3. Race 4 trainees will be placed together on Swan, with chaperoned travel out to Norway and a sail aboard Swan back to Lerwick.
Both races provide a truly life changing experience, where trainees will learn so much about themselves by testing their personal and physical boundaries, whilst reaping the benefits of increased self-confidence, independence, team working and communication skills.”
Sail Training Shetland has supported over 500 trainees to date, offering day sails free of charge and heavily subsidised Tall Ships Races experiences. It can only do this due to its volunteers, fundraising and sponsorship.
Victor Sandison, Treasurer of Sail Training Shetland, said: “As a small volunteer committee, we would like to thank our supporters, who help to promote, manage and fund the 2025 experiences. We are also very grateful to the sponsors who support our annual sail training opportunities. This year that includes Lerwick Port Authority, Sail Yell and, the main sponsor, Arven Offshore Wind Farm.”
