A special trip to Harlingen

Amidst great interest, the ships taking part in the Tall Ships Races sailed into the harbour at Harlingen. For the participants, this marked the end of a special journey.

Last week, dozens of tall ships set sail from the Danish port city of Aarhus bound for Harlingen, the next leg of the Tall Ships Races 2026. Around 170 young people from the Netherlands were on board. For them, it was an unforgettable adventure.

Marie-Do Baas: ‘It was truly extraordinary’

Four years ago, Marie-Do Baas (21) from Boksum marvelled at Sail Harlingen as a spectator. “Back then I thought: next time, I’ll be taking part too.” And that’s exactly what she did. On Friday, she proudly sailed into Harlingen harbour aboard the tall ship Eendracht. “It’s been a brilliant adventure. I’d never sailed on a tall ship before and I’ve learnt and done so much. Tying knots, hoisting sails, handling ropes. It was all new to me.”

It’s pretty cool being out in the middle of the sea with nothing around you – Marie-Do Baas

The crew of the Eendracht had quite a rough time of it en route. “We had a pretty bad storm for two days. Luckily, I didn’t suffer from seasickness, but many others did. At one point, half the group were in bed feeling ill.” Marie-Do wasn’t really scared by the storm. “I didn’t find it that scary myself. People also said: ‘This ship has weathered worse storms.’”

Sailing on the open sea made a huge impression on her. “It’s pretty cool being out in the middle of the sea with nothing around you. It’s almost impossible to imagine. Very surreal.” She looks back on her first big sailing trip with pride and joy. “It was truly an extraordinary experience.”

Thymo van der Meer wants to become a captain on a cruise ship

Thymo van der Meer (17) from Leeuwarden really enjoys life at sea. “It’s nice and peaceful being far from home.” What else does he love about sailing? “The water lapping over the railings, all the life in the sea and not being able to see a thing in front of you. That’s really beautiful.”

He too was in Harlingen as a spectator in 2022. “Back then I thought: wow, this is really lovely.” Thymo recently graduated from the Maritime Academy and wants to pursue a career in shipping. “I definitely want to get out on the water. My ultimate goal is to be captain of a cruise ship.”

It’s nice and peaceful being far from home – Thymo van der Meer

This experience will certainly come in handy. Thymo sailed on *De Wylde Swan* and thoroughly enjoyed the voyage. “Some days it was stormy, on others it was completely calm. That variety is great fun.”

As they sailed into Harlingen harbour, he felt his emotions welling up. “So many feelings go through you at that moment. Pride, because we sailed well even though one of the sails broke. And also joy at being back.”

Eline Koster: ‘I’ll remember this for the rest of my life’

For Eline Koster (16) from Leeuwarden, taking part in the Tall Ships Races felt like a personal victory. “I used to find so many things nerve-wracking. I’ve worked hard on myself and found this a lovely symbol of how far I’ve come.”

She looks back on a special and unforgettable adventure. “I wouldn’t have dared to do this a few years ago. I’m sure I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.”
Eline noticed along the way that she was becoming increasingly daring. “I even climbed the masts; that was really nerve-wracking, but also great fun. You end up doing lots of things you wouldn’t normally do. These are memories that will last a lifetime.”

Although the tall ship Morgenster regularly bobbed up and down quite a bit on the waves, Eline didn’t get seasick. “You do get used to it. And I also took plenty of pills against sea sickness – that was my lifesaver.”

If I had the chance, I’d throw my phone away – Eline Koster

The fact that mobile phones aren’t used on board the tall ships felt like a breath of fresh air to Eline. “I really enjoyed that. If I had the chance, I’d throw it away, but then you can’t keep up with society. I loved not being reachable.”

Source: Remco Jacobi in the Leeuwarder Courant (subscribers only).
Header photo: Harlingensail (Hendrika Lageveen).

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