The Rain Didn’t Dampen Our Spirits!

The Tall Ships Races 2025
Race 2: Dunkirk – Aberdeen
12 – 21 July 2025

12 July
Saturday: The Day We Embarked on the Ship

For some people, it had been a long day; they had taken a long bus trip from Aberdeen to Dunkirk and were very tired. After embarkation, everyone settled into their bunks and took some rest. Following a short nap, dinner was served, and afterward everyone played some games together. The evening ended on a high note with a beautiful drone show that everyone enjoyed.

13 July
Sunday: The Day we Left the Harbour

In the morning, we woke up, received safety instructions, and learned how to climb the mast. At 11:00 local time, we started the engines and set sail toward the lock. The lock took much longer than expected. When we entered, we didn’t imagine that we would still be there 4.5 hours later. It was a long wait, but it was worth it.

After we left the dock, we enjoyed a pleasant sail-out with lots of ships around and people watching from the shore. As soon as we exited the lock, we hoisted the sails and began sailing — the start of a beautiful experience.

14 July
Monday: The Day the Race Starts

When we (the 04:00-08:00 watch) woke up today and walked outside, the only thing we saw was fog. There was no wind and we were just drifting on the sea dragged by the current. The motor was turned off because we approached the starting line. During the watch we put sails up and down to get to know the lines and how everything works on board. At 8:00 someone came up with the idea to swim as we were drifting at the same speed as the current. So we jumped from the ladders on the side of the boat and enjoyed the water. At first it was a bit cold, but then we got used to the cold and enjoyed our swim.

15 July
Tuesday: A Beautiful Day of Sailing

It began with a stunning sunrise. As the day went on, the wind picked up and we sailed at an enjoyable speed. After lunch many people played games in the saloon, creating a fun and lively atmosphere.

Unfortunately, it started to rain during our watch, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We sang along to the music and adjusted the sails as needed.

16 July
Wednesday: Today Was an Eventful Day

It began with some wind, but it died down as the day went on. During the 04:00–08:00 watch, the trainees made homemade chips. They sliced lots of potatoes, oiled them, and then baked them in the oven. The chips were very tasty, and everyone enjoyed them.

After the shift, some people went into the jib net or climbed up the mast. They had very nice views and stayed there for a long time.

In the afternoon, we had lunch and then played some games together. Many people stayed awake and decided to go fishing. They caught at least seven mackerel, which they used to make a nice salad.

At the same time, others went swimming. They jumped off the side of the ship, going higher and higher each time. After that, some people went to bed, while others enjoyed their time in the jib net, watching the sunset. It was a beautiful day.

17 July
Thursday: Today Was a Very Calm Day

We enjoyed the water and played some games in the evening. The morning watch was very lucky – they got the chance to see some dolphins swimming by. They weren’t very close, but the group could see their fins breaking the surface. It was a beautiful experience.

18 July
Friday: The Day We Reached the Finish Line

Around 02:00 local time we finished the race. Afterwards, we took down some sails and sailed slowly toward the harbour of Aberdeen. Around 06:00 we could see the coastline on the horizon. We sailed a bit further, and around 07:00 we turned on the engine and lowered the rest of the sails. At exactly 07:30, we arrived in the harbour. Lots of parents were waving to their children – it was a warm welcome.

After we docked and had breakfast, people went ashore to explore Aberdeen and have lunch or dinner. At first, we had to get used to being on land: our legs still felt as if we were at sea. In the evening, the mentors organized a movie night, and afterward, people played games and talked with each other.

19 July
Saturday: The Day the Tall Ships Event in Aberdeen Began

People attended the events, concerts, and museums, and some went to visit their parents. It was a lovely day. Everyone enjoyed the city and had a nice lunch and dinner along the shore. In the evening, there was another movie night for some, while others attended the orchestra concert. Everyone had a good time.

20 July
Sunday: A Day Full of Crew Events

Today was a very busy day. In the morning, we had the sports event. Everyone got to participate in the sports they liked. Later, during the tug-of-war finals, everyone gathered to cheer for our Highland Games team. Unfortunately, our team didn’t make it to the finals, but one of our mentors managed to get our group to join forces with the crew of the Alexander von Humboldt. It was a great experience.

After the sports event, we had lunch and started preparing for the Crew Parade. The parade was a fantastic experience, with many spectators watching. It ended with the prize ceremony, where we were lucky to receive the award for the youngest crew! We proudly stood on the podium, then returned to the ship. Later, we went to the crew party, where we danced, celebrated, and talked to lots of people from other ships. It was another amazing day.

21 July
Monday: The Day We Left the Ship

The morning started with breakfast, followed by packing our things and happy hour. Once everything was clean and everyone was ready, we said goodbye to the ship and made our way home. It was a beautiful experience.

Editing and photos by mentor Anne-Fleur Opdam.