EnglishAre you between 15 and 25 years old? Do you like adventure? Do you like coming into contact with young people from other countries? Or maybe you are a little insecure and would like to gain more self-confidence? Whatever your motivation, one thing is certain: as a trainee at the Tall Ships Races you will have unforgettable experiences. This will be the trip of a lifetime.
Sailing along with the Tall Ships Races as a trainee costs €1,250. In the unlikely event that the trip cannot go ahead, you will get it back. You must pay the amount prior to the trip, which can be done at the time you have collected everything. Transport, general costs such as food, drinks, accommodation on board and activities in Harlingen, including a dinner during the crew party, are included in the costs. It is wise to save an extra amount, including for pocket money.
Together with Windseeker, we will help you raise the costs. For this, you can participate in Windseeker's fundraising training called "Dinghy".
Tall Ships Races Harlingen is collaborating for the trainee programme with Windseeker, an agency for tall ships. Apart from assigning the trainees to the ships, Windseeker Harlingen also helps Sail with fundraising training and coaching.
Windseeker is affiliated with STO-Garant. This guarantees all trainees that if the Tall Ships Races cannot take place, they will receive a full refund of their travel fee. With STO-Garant, Windseeker meets all the requirements of the European Package Travel Directive. That means there are more benefits, such as the right to send a replacement participant if you can no longer participate yourself.
For more information on this, please visit STO-Garant.
Travel insurance is also provided through Windseeker for all trainees. More information on the coverage can be found on the Insurance card.
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.
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.Â
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.
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.
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.Â
Harlingen Sail collaborates with the organisation Windseeker. Among other things, they provide training and mentor the trainees on fundraising.Â
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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.
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