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, Wylde Swan

From € 1090,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1090,-
26-28 (at request): € 1290,-

Book this journey

Wylde Swan:
Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

The Tall Ships Races 2025: Race 2. Set sail on an adventurous voyage from the north coast of France to the shores of Scotland! Board the tall ship Wylde Swan amid the lively atmosphere of Dunkirk’s maritime festival, and depart in a grand Parade of Sail, cheered on by the crowds. As you cross the vast North Sea, embrace your inner adventurer—navigate, take the helm, and harness the wind to sail Wylde Swan towards the horizon. Alongside an international crew of sailors and trainees, you’ll make your way to the finish line in Aberdeen. Conclude your journey with two days of crew-exclusive festivities, including the Crew Parade and Crew Party, forming unforgettable bonds with fellow young sailors from around the world.
For Windseekers from all countries, aged 15-25 (26-28 at request).

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 15-25 years, age 26-28 at request
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 34
  • 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
  • Special diets possible: Vegetarian/ Lactose free/ Gluten free, some allergies. Let us know abut your dietary needs at booking!
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: towels

  • "I felt like a free human. Everything I did felt so good."

    Boukje (15), Netherlands

Tall Ship Wylde Swan sailing

You sail on the Wylde Swan

Pictured: Tall Ship Wylde Swan sailing
Shipping type: 2-masted topsail schooner
Homeport: Makkum (NL)
Date built: 1920
Trainees: 36
Length: 62 m
Height of mast: 43 m
Sail: 1130 m2

As a topsail schooner, Wylde Swan has impressive fore-and-aft sails, with a couple of additional square sails on the foremast. That makes the ship both fast and great for Sail Training activities! The crew are well-trained professional sailors and volunteers, whose …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • Fun day out with friends

    Wadden Sea, October 2020

    All photos courtesy of BTOWU

    – by Nienke

    Besides providing us with super awesome, smart, science people to ensure the high quality of the sustainability side of our Exchange programs, By the Ocean we Unite also organize their own things. Like ‘citizen science’ day trips, during which folks …

    Read log

  • Mentoring on The Maybe

    Maybe, July 2017

    – by Killian Borland (17)

    I was a youth volunteer on The Maybe for the month of June 2017. It was an experience that I will never forget. I loved every minute of it. One of the best things about sailing on The Maybe is that …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainees
  • Trainee

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.