MORE than 100 sailing trainees have taken their first steps towards the adventure of a lifetime when they officially registered for The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018.

The young adventurers were not on their own for their big day. Ship operators, sail trainee sponsor organisations and sail trainee consultants Windseeker from The Netherlands joined Cllr Kelly and members of the Tall Ships project team to enjoy a full day of activity and team building.

Sunderland City Council’s for public health, wellness and culture, Cllr John Kelly, said: “The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 will give many of our young people the chance to use their experience of being at sea as a wonderful way of learning about themselves and their crewmates.

"By sailing on one of these majestic ships, they will have an almost unique opportunity to discover their own strengths and talents as well as those around them as they learn to appreciate the value of working as a team.”

The first leg of The Tall Ships Races 2018 sails from Sunderland to Esbjerg (Denmark). The event begins at noon on Wednesday, July 11 and will run until Saturday, July 14. Sail Trainees will begin their voyage with a spectacular Parade of Sail along the city’s coastline before spending around four days at sea.