Your chance to sail away

There are dozens of places available this summer for Hartlepool people to join crews as they sail to or from this year’s Tall Ships Races, which start in Liverpool. 

There are opportunities to sail on the 14 metre sloop ‘Black Diamond of Durham’ from Hartlepool to Fort Augustus in Scotland from 5-13 July, from Fort Augustus to Liverpool from 13-20 July or from Den Helder in Holland to Hartlepool from 22-31 August. 

There’s also a chance to help crew the 180ft square rigger ‘Lord Nelson’ from Den Helder to Hartlepool from 22-29 August or from Hartlepool to Southampton from 31 August-7 September. 

Lesley Strickland, Hartlepool Council’s Tall Ships Project Officer, has first-hand experience of crewing tall ships. She spent several days last summer helping to crew the Black Diamond in a tall ships race from Stockholm to Szczecin in the Baltic.  

Lesley says: “It’s an absolutely unforgettable experience, and this year we have some fabulous opportunities for young people and adults to try it, whether able-bodied or disabled. Please spread the word to your family and friends. 

“We are also very keen to hear from any individuals or companies who would be willing to help sponsor these events, to help keep costs down for the participants.” 

For more information contact Lesley Strickland on (52)3420 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

* Hartlepool will be hosting about 100 tall ships between 7-10 August 2010 after they have sailed from Kristiansand in Norway on the final leg of The Tall Ships’ Races. It’s predicted that the spectacle could attract as many as a million visitors to the town. 

Press notice PRO38150. 30 April 2008.

Issued by Julian Heward, Public Relations Officer, on 01429 523044.