The Tall Ships Races is an annual international event in Europe. During the Tall Ships Races, tall ships sail two race stages and a cruise in company stage. Every year, other European cities host port for this event. The Tall Ships Races was also organised in Harlingen in 2014, 2018 and 2022. In 2026, Harlingen will again be one of the host ports.
A tall ship is actually exactly what the word says, a big ship. Often with lots of sails. A distinction is made between four classes:
All square-rigged vessels (barque, barkentine, brig, brigantine or ship rigged) with a length of hull (LOA) of more than 24 metres and all other vessels with a LOA of more than 40 metres, irrespective of the rigging (sail gear).
Traditionally rigged vessels (i.e. gaff-rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres.
Modern rigged vessels (i.e. Bermuda rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres not carrying spinnaker-type sails.
Modern rigged vessels (ie Bermuda rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres carrying spinnaker-type sails.
A trainee is a non-professional crew member on board a training vessel.
The Tall Ships Races Harlingen is from 3 to 6 July. The ships depart 27 June 2026 from Aarhus in Denmark. They will arrive in Harlingen on 3 July 2026 during a spectacular Sail in Parade. The following days there will be all kinds of activities in the city's harbour.
Trainees
The trainees will leave on 26 June 2026 by bus to Aarhus in Denmark to embark on the ships. After arriving in Harlingen, there will be all-day activities specially organised for crew and trainees on 4 July 2026. 5 July 2026, the trainees will disembark again.
All young people aged between 15 and 25 can sail as a trainee on a tall ship. It does not matter whether you have sailing experience or not, what your parents' financial possibilities are or whether you have mental or physical limitations. Anyone can join.
To sign up, you can here click.
We prefer to receive your application before 1 April 2026. However, if you would like help in getting your amount together, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.
Of course, we are going to do our utmost to agree with your school that you can come along!
You don't need to be able to sail. Everything you need, you will learn on board the tall ship. The permanent crew is qualified to train trainees. So anyone aged between 15 and 25 can sail along as a trainee.
We believe it is important that everyone can participate, regardless of knowledge, experience or background. That means that really anyone aged between 15 and 25 can apply to be a trainee. Unfortunately, staying on board is not always comfortable. This differs from ship to ship. If you depend on a wheelchair, there are special ships for that. If you doubt whether you can come along, please contact Harlingen Sail. We can then discuss any possibilities with you.
Yes, but we would like to know this at the time of your application. The ship you are assigned to may depend on the type of diet. The bigger the ship, the more options there usually are. Vegetarian can actually be arranged on all ships, but please let us know.
Yes, you can specify that you want to be on the same ship with someone. Or not, of course. You can indicate this after registration, in the form where you can also indicate your preference for a ship. Do both. If you indicate a preference for a ship, please do both the same, otherwise placement will be a puzzle. Placement does depend on availability, so don't think too long!
We cannot place trainees on all ships. There is a list of ships to choose from. Once you have submitted your final application, you may indicate your preference for three ships. Subject to availability, you will be placed on one of those three ships. So the earlier you decide, the more chance you have of sailing on your favourite ship.
You register via the Harlingen Sail Foundation website. Once you have clicked on register, you will be directed to Windseeker. You will then be asked to provide information to Windseeker, this is privacy-sensitive data, including about your health and your passport/id card. They need this for taking out insurance, registering and assigning you to ships. After all, should you need special care, some ships are much better at this than others. Windseeker has a strict privacy policy, check it out here.
The cost of the trip is €1,250. In addition, you might have wishes, e.g. good shoes, rainwear, sunglasses, photo camera....you name it. Of course, you have to include those costs as well.
Included in travel expenses are:
Yes indeed, we will help you raise the required amount so that you can join too.
Harlingen Sail collaborates with the organisation Windseeker. Among other things, they provide training and mentor the trainees on fundraising.
Harlingen Sail collaborates with the organisation Windseeker. Among other things, they provide training and guide the trainees on fundraising. Besides a meeting where the first steps are taken, groups of about eight trainees are formed. They can keep in touch with each other and support each other with the course of fundraising.
Once you are registered and assigned to a ship, you will receive a packing list. You still have plenty of time to prepare yourself properly. As not all ships use the same packing list, we will send it to you after you have been assigned.
For this trip, you will need a valid travel document. This can also be an identity card. Do check the validity, it must be valid throughout the trip. No visa is required.
Travel insurance is provided through Windseeker for all trainees. For more information on coverage: Insurance card.
For everything else, you need to take out your own insurance.
Due to the international crew during the race, English is mainly spoken on board the ships. There are some exceptions, this is mentioned with the ship.
At sea, you keep watch. That's more than looking out over the water in search of land! On watch, you are responsible for the ship together with the rest of your team and the professional crew. Manoeuvring, climbing masts, setting sails, making coffee or having a bite to eat.
There is usually a three-watch system on board. During an international exchange, trainees are mixed as much as possible. Each team is on duty twice a day. This watch can be, for example, from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 20:00 to 24:00. On board, every day is different. The weather, the wind, the view. From sunshine to rain and from dolphins swimming past the bow to a beautiful sunset.
