As 2017 continues to quickly disappear in the rear view mirror of life, it’s time to start planning your next Tall Ships adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of your first adventure under sail, or you are a seasoned professional on the water, there’s an event for you in 2018.
Following 2017’s spectacular Transatlantic adventure, the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta, and the Tall Ships Races 2017, 2018 offers three international Tall Ships events; The Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta 2018, The Tall Ships Races 2018 and the SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018.
The Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta 2018
This two-leg event across three sea areas will take place in north-west Europe. Liverpool, United Kingdom (U.K.) will be the start port, then vessels will race to Dublin, Republic of Ireland (R.O.I), and onto Bordeaux, France. The Regatta will see an international fleet of Tall Ships undertake a voyage across the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay.
Any Tall Ships Regatta is a spectacular event for visitors and crew alike, and the Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta 2018 is no exception. Each stop on the regatta route will coincide with major celebrations as Liverpool marks the ten year anniversary of their year as the European capital of culture and Bordeaux hold the leading European wine festival, Bordeaux Fête le Vin.
The marriage of these vibrant city wide celebrations and the spectacle of the Tall Ships fleet is guaranteed to create some of the most outstanding maritime festivities of any regatta in the world famous Tall Ships Races history. Nine majestic Class A and B ships have already been confirmed across the regatta, with more expected, assuring all visitors and participants an unforgettable time.
Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta 2018 Route
Liverpool, U.K (Friday 25 May-Monday 28 May 2018)
Dublin, Republic of Ireland (Friday 1 June-Monday 4 June 2018)
Bordeaux, France (Thursday 14 June-Monday 18 June 2018)
The Tall Ships Races 2018
The jewel in the Tall Ships crown returns in 2018 with a race series through the North Sea. Starting in Sunderland, UK, the races will take in Esbjerg, Denmark, and Stavanger, Norway, before finishing in Harlingen, Netherlands. These four fantastic cities, and the two challenging races across the North Sea, make the Tall Ships Races 2018 an essential event in the sail training calendar.
Our last visit to the North Sea in 2016, for the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016, was a huge success, and we can’t wait to kick off the main maritime celebrations of the summer in Sunderland. The North Sea and surrounding areas have always been great friends of the Tall Ships, and 2018 is sure to be no exception.
As with all our Tall Ships races and regattas, the adventure doesn’t end with free a visit to the Tall Ships anchored in port. You can take part in every leg of the race series as a full member of a Tall Ships crew, with no previous sailing experience needed. Nothing can quite prepare you for the unforgettable atmosphere of racing; way out at sea, with the waves crashing against the hull, no land in sight, the sun rising behind you, and your closest competitor hot on your heels.
To find out which vessels still have spaces for you, head over to our central Tall Ships Races 2018 event page, or click on any of the legs detailed below in the race route, to see all of the majestic vessels available.
The Tall Ships Races 2018 Route
Sunderland – UK (11 July–14 July)
Esbjerg – Denmark (18–21 July)
Stavanger – Norway (26 July–29July)
Harlingen – Netherlands (3 August–6 August)
The SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018
Following on from the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016, and continuing our successful partnership with one of the world’s largest shipping companies, Sovcomflot (SCF), the Tall Ships fleet head to the Far East. The SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018 will be the first regatta to be held between South Korea and Russia when the fleet sail from Yeosu to Vladivostok.
The regatta will begin in Yeosu, South Korea and finish in Vladivostok. The forum will draw heads of state from around the Far East and leave a long lasting impact throughout the region. This spectacular regatta is expected to draw the attention of many of the countries in the Pacific Rim area and attract a range of Tall Ships and Small Ships to participate in this unique regatta.
This impressive Far East regatta will provide a fantastic period of sailing in the heart of the Pacific Rim, and you can learn all about what it takes to sail these majestic vessels across the high seas by booking your place on board! Whether it be climbing the mast and setting the sails on a Class A Tall Ship, or an adrenaline fuelled race close to the water line in a Class D yacht, you’re sure to have the time of your life on a voyage of discovery in the Far East.
The SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018 Route
Yeosu – South Korea (27 August-1 September)
Vladivostok – Russia (9 September-11 September)
Vladivostok – Russia (11 September-14 September)
Get Involved
Did you know you can take part in all of our fantastic adventures at sea? Berths are still available for all of our races and regattas in 2018. You can find all the entered vessels on our individual event pages.
Taking part in a Tall Ships Race or Regatta offers you the chance to take part in many different and exciting challenges. These include things such as climbing the mast, raising the sails, preparing a dinner in the middle of the ocean and taking part in watch duties. You’ll learn new things and make new friends from around the world.
You can book your place directly with a participating vessel, or if you’d like help simply email our friendly team on enquiries@sailonboard.com, who can make recommendations, answer questions and process your booking for you.
It’s a once in a lifetime experience you won’t forget.
