Header trainee

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

Brest (FR) - Den Helder (NL)

15 July - 25 July 2027

10 days, Gulden Leeuw

From € 1125,-

Book this journey

International Exchange@sea Sail Training

15-25: € 1125,-

Book this journey

No commitment yet – your booking becomes binding only after payment. Cancellation terms apply.

Gulden Leeuw:
Brest (FR) - Den Helder (NL)

15 July - 25 July 2027

WIND: Windseeker Intercultural Navigation & Discovery: Exchange at Sea with a mini-regatta.
Step on board Gulden Leeuw for a unique youth voyage, during which you will practice Sail Training, while creating a mini-country with your fellow crew mates. Sail from France to the Netherlands, learning to navigate, steer, climb the masts, and keep lookout. Make international friends, and together build a community, with its own flag, hymn, and governed by the laws you come up with. Practice democracy and inclusion, sharing your culture and learning about others’ to come up with a mix that works for everybody.
Join other tall ships for a WIND Regatta, challenging yourself to win, before celebrating together on land with the other crews.
The theme for this journey was designed by the participants. You can still join and give your input into the final program!
Open to young Windseekers aged 15-25 from the following countries: Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, and the Netherlands. UK to be confirmed.

Ports

Brest is a major French port on the Atlantic coast, historically of strategic importance. Much of the town was destroyed during World War II, but some historic landmarks remain. Today Brest is an important navy port, so expect to see war ships berthed in the harbor. Every four years, Brest hosts the international festival of the sea, boats and sailors, with many Tall Ships attending. South of Brest you will find national park d’Armorique, a tranquil reserve where you can escape from the city.

Den Helder is a beautiful town in the Netherlands, situated at the very tip of the North Holland province, regularly hosting the Tall Ships events. Discover the town’s sea connections by visiting the Marinemuseum and Nationaal Reddingmuseum Dorus Rijkers. Take a break and go for a walk in the botanical gardens Oranjerie De Groene Parel Den Helder or admire sea life in the Fort Kijkduin Museum and Aquarium.

  • Brest (FR)

  • Den Helder (NL)

Key points

  • Dates: 15 July 2027 - 25 July 2027
  • Embarkation: 20:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers age 15-25 years
  • Participating countries: Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, and the Netherlands. UK to be confirmed.
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 55
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English and Dutch
  • 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: towels
  • You will sleep in a bunk in a shared area

  • "Working in a team is a skill I really improved on board during the watches."

    Phillip (24), France

You sail on the Gulden Leeuw

Shipping type: Topsail Schooner
Homeport: Kampen (NL)
Date built: 1937
Trainees: 60
Length: 70,1 m
Height of mast: 40 m
Sail: 1500 m2

The Gulden Leeuw is a three-masted topsail schooner, which means that you can climb the 40-metre mast to unpack the square sails. That’s approximately 12 stories high! But do not worry, you can start with the lowest yard. With 1500 …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • A Gentle Reminder of How Far We’ve Come

    Gulden Leeuw, August 2017

    Halifax - Le Havre Atlantic Crossing

    – by Trainees

    August 3rd Hannson Paul, Phil Truchon Second day ocean sailing in Rendez-Vous 2017, all is going well so far. Yesterday we had to take down all the sails and begin to use our engine towards the next checkpoint due to the lack …

    Read log
  • Ship

    Absolutely Awesome Day

    Europa

    Southern Atlantic Ocean

    – by Annie van Haaren

    Today was absolutely awesome. Waking from a good 7 hour sleep to breakfast, first time in 5 days as I had been sleeping right through it when on the dog watch. We had watch from 8 am till 12 midday. …

    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.