Ready for The Tall Ships Races: Volunteers come aboard the summer’s maritime celebration
More than 300 volunteers are ready to sign on for The Tall Ships Races when some of the world’s largest sailing ships dock at Esbjerg Havn this August. The many volunteers are indispensable to the huge event and take on a sea of different tasks.
When the proud ships of the world’s most beautiful regatta, The Tall Ships Races, set their course for Esbjerg, Charlotte Albrechtsen will be ready on the quay to welcome them. Once again, she’s putting on her liaison officer shirt for the maritime celebration. In fact, she has been part of the large volunteer crew all five times the fleet has visited Esbjerg Havn – in 1993, 2001, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Now, Charlotte is excited to step up for a sixth time when The Tall Ships Races come to Esbjerg from 6 to 9 August 2025.
The thrill of the open seas
For all those years, Charlotte has served as a liaison officer, helping the ship crews with everything they need in terms of information and practicalities while in port. She enjoys the international atmosphere and the thrill of the great oceans.
“I have a strong urge to help and a solution-oriented mindset, so it’s exciting to navigate the tasks and challenges we face as liaison officers. It’s a great way to volunteer, as it’s for a limited period, and it’s always a joy to reunite with the other volunteers I only see during The Tall Ships Races,” says Charlotte Albrechtsen.
Many hands needed
The strong volunteer team for this year’s edition of The Tall Ships Races numbers more than 300 people, who are absolutely essential to keeping everything running across the vast harbour area. Most take part through their local associations, while others volunteer as individuals. The age range spans from 18 to senior citizens.
The event requires many helping hands, and the volunteers assist with everything from setting up tables and benches on the quay, hanging banners and signs, emptying trash bins, directing traffic, manning the children’s area, running backstage at the stages, and providing food and drinks for up to 250 volunteers and staff.
“We’re deeply grateful for the volunteers’ dedication and look forward to the energy and joy they always bring to The Tall Ships Races. We simply couldn’t pull off an event of this magnitude without them, and it’s important to us that it’s also a fun and rewarding experience for them – so hopefully we’ll get to welcome them again another time,” says Kirsten Bisgaard Kirchner, Head of Events at Esbjerg Municipality.
Facts about The Tall Ships Races in Esbjerg 2025:
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Esbjerg is host city for the sixth time. First in 1993 and most recently in 2022.
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The city is designated an anchor port by Sail Training International – a special status for selected key cities.
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44 ships will participate, including 14 large Class A vessels.
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Ships are coming from 17 nations.
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Main sponsor is the local company VIKING Life-Saving Equipment.
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Dokhavnen and Trafikhavnen will be temporarily opened to the public.
Contact
Kirsten Bisgaard Kirchner, Head of Events, Esbjerg Municipality, tel. +45 30 33 62 66, kikir@esbjerg.dk
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