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, Williwaw

From € 495,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

18-25: € 495,-

Book this journey

Williwaw:
Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

*Places at request* The Tall Ships Races 2025, Race 2. Join an exciting race from nothern France to Scotland and have an unforgettable adventure! Find Williwaw in Dunkirk, moored among international yachts and tall ships. Take in the wonderful atmosphere of a huge maritime event, before leaving the port in a Parade of Sail. Then it’s all hands on deck! Sail Williwaw day and night, together with the experienced crew, racing for the win! Learn to steer, navigate, work with sails, and enjoy life at sea. Reach Aberdeen in time to spend the last two days in port, joining the Crew Parade, Crew Party, and plenty of other events where you will get to meet the crews of other vessels and exchange your sea stories.
For Windseekers aged 18-25 (17 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 aged 18-25 (17 at request)
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 4
  • 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: sleeping bags and towels
  • "Very fun, eye-opening adventure."

    Sterre (16), the Netherlands

You sail on the Williwaw

Shipping type: kits
Homeport: Antwerp (BE)
Date built: 1970
Trainees: 4
Length: 13 m
Height of mast: 17 m
Sail: 92 m2

Williwaw made its mark in 1979 when Willy de Roos became the first to sail around the American continent from east to west, navigating the Northwest Passage from Greenland through the Bering Strait to reach North America's west coast. Later, …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • 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
  • Arrival Kristiansand

    Vega Gamleby

    Skarhamn - Kristiansand - Aalborg

    – by Jeroen (18) and Anouk (16)

    Jeroen After being the most seasick person on the whole boat, today I felt better again! So happy with this, had a lot of fun in my watch. This watch we got the chance to climb in the mast. First I …

    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.