Header trainee

Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

9 days, Valborg

From € 1050,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1050,-
26+: € 1320,-

Book this journey

Valborg:
Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

The Tall Ships Races 2025, Race 2. Prepare for an adventure as you embark on the second race of this year’s Tall Ships Races! Sailing from Dunkirk, France, to Aberdeen, Scotland, you will cross the English Channel and navigate the North Sea along the British coast, competing against other tall ships, small ships, and yachts. As a crew member aboard the Valborg, you’ll take an active role in every aspect of sailing – from hoisting sails and steering to navigating with sea charts. Along the way, you’ll make new friends and fully experience life at sea. Upon reaching Aberdeen, spend two days in port, enjoying crew events, concerts, competitions, and exploring other ships. Step on board for an adventure!
Open to all Windseekers aged 15+

The Tall Ships Races 2025

Every year, a diverse array of Tall Ships, small Ships, and Yachts gather to promote Sail Training and foster international frienship among young people. With a stipulation that mandates at least half of the participants fall within the age bracket of 15-25, these vessels engage in Races and Cruise in Company legs, navigating between various host ports and engaging in vibrant harbour festivals.

Each journey includes a cheerful sail-out of the harbour in a spectacular Parade of Sail, followed by several days at sea, and ends with the last two days spent in the destination port. Here, trainees paricipate in a series of events including the Crew Parade, award ceremonies, Crew Party, as well as games and competitions. Are you ready to embark on this exhilarating journey?

Ports

Dunkirk is the northernmost city in France and one if its biggest harbours. It lies very close to the Belgian border and dates back to middle ages when it was a fishing village. Dunkirk's maritime heritage is clearly visible, and celebrated. You can visit the Port Museum (Musée Portuaire), climb to the top of Le Beffroi de Saint-Eloi for unforgettable views or relax in one of the multiple seafront cafes and bars.

Aberdeen, the silver city with the golden sands, lies on the Scottish east coast. The city has been settled for over 8000 years, so you’ll find plenty of historic landmarks as you amble across town. Aberdeen is also famous for its many parks and gardens. The city hosts several festivals year round, so check out the cultural agenda while you’re there. And take some time to spend in one of the many wonderful pubs, where you can strike up a conversation with the locals. But don’t peek under kilts!

  • Aberdeen (GB)

Key points

  • Dates: 12 July 2025 - 21 July 2025
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers of all ages, minimum age 15 years
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 24
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: bottom sheet, sleeping bag, pillow & pillowcase, towels
  • You will sleep in a bunk. You might have to share a double bunk with another person.

  • "Super great experience, I recommend it to everyone. I loved it!!! Everything was perfect."

    Michael (17), Belgium

You sail on the Valborg

Shipping type: 2-masted galeas
Homeport: Helsinki
Date built: 1948
Trainees:
Length: 36 m
Height of mast: 20 m
Sail: 360 m2

Nowadays Valborg serves as a Sail Training vessel, participating in events like the Tall Ships Races and offering charter trips to companies and private groups to finance the Races. During winter Valborg stays in water (and ice), and serves as …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • The Archipelago of Ideas

    Valborg, July 2022

    Finland

    – by Mentor Davide and Trainees

    Dear reader, Today is the first day on board the Valborg in the Helsinki Harbour! It was the start of our two-week sailing program, from the 16th of July until the 30th of July, 2022. Initially, we would be sailing from …

    Read log
  • Vega Gamleby Trainees and Crew before Esbjerg Crew Parade 2018

    “We all live in the Vega Gamleby, Vega Gamleby, Vega Gamleby”

    Vega Gamleby

    Sunderland-Esbjerg

    – by Trainees

    Date – 14/07/18 Watch / Trainees – 8-12 – Chris Dow and Cecilie Olsen We woke up at 8 am British time, then at 8:15 am we gathered in the galley as breakfast was served. Shortly after breakfast, during a minor briefing, we …

    Read log

Photos

  • Dolphins
See more

OTHER JOURNEYS YOU MIGHT LIKE

STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.