Following an overwhelming response across the region, 230 young people have been selected as sail trainees for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.
The trainees aged between 15 and 25 years old live across the city and in the wider Aberdeenshire region. They all met for the first time on Saturday 5 April at the sail trainee ‘Welcome Day’ at the Beach Ballroom ahead of embarking on extraordinary journeys this summer:
- 150 trainees will join the crew of 10 Tall Ships’ in Dunkirk, France on 13 July and sailing into Aberdeen on 19 July
- 80 trainees sailing on the race leg with 9 Tall Ships’ that depart Aberdeen on 22 July and arrives in Kristiansand, Norway on 30 July.
Councillor Martin Greig, Chair of the Tall Ships Organising Committee, said: “The sheer volume of applications motivated us to expand the programme, ensuring more young people can experience this incredible adventure. We’ve smashed our original target of sending 100 trainees and can’t wait to hear their amazing sailing stories.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “For all the excitement and spectacle of the Tall Ships Races being in Aberdeen, at the heart of this event are the 230 young people who are about to embark on a truly life-changing experience as sail trainees. I’d like to wish all of them bon voyage as they set off on what will truly be a journey of self-discovery.”
Scottish Tall Ships
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen team is chartering two ships to accommodate sail trainees for the race leg from Aberdeen to Kristiansand, Swan and Alba Explorer.
Swan was built in Lerwick, Shetland in 1900 and was originally one of the vast fleet of wooden vessels fishing for herring in the early 20th century. Rescued from dereliction in the early 1990s, she returned to Shetland and is now run by the Swan Trust, participating in numerous Tall Ships Races and traditional boat festivals. She has five permanent crew and will have 10 trainees on board.
Alba Explorer was built in 2000 in Greenock and was used as a round-the-word racing yacht before joining the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland fleet. She was modified to work with young people and adapted for coastal sailing. She now has six permanent crew and will have 12 trainees.
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “It’s fantastic to see such enthusiasm from youngsters across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire eager to embrace this unique sailing experience. Port of Aberdeen is proud to support this life-changing opportunity for so many young people as they set sail, build lasting friendships, and create unforgettable memories.”
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