Sail Training on the Irish TallShip "Asgard II"

Ever wanted to set sail and explore life on the Ocean?

Ever wonder about the lessons and skills that people learn, when they work and live together in a rocking - moving world?

The Asgard II is the Irish Tall Ship and sail training vessel. Every year it provides scores of young people with the opportunity to sample life at sea in an honest, fun and hard-working environment.

This is a little known service which many countries provide, but the Asgard II goes much further than many to provide people from all backgrounds the opportunity to sample life at sea.

Interested? Then read on...

Extreme sport, extreme fun and no sailing experience necessary.? The Asgard was designed especially for sail training purposes.

Built by the late Jack Tyrrell in Arklow, Co. Wicklow (Ireland) and commissioned there on 7th March, 1981, the sail training scheme is operated by Coiste an Asgard (Asgard Committee).
Coiste an Asgard is also a founding member of Sail Training International, the body that regulates sail training throughout the world.

Every year from early Spring to early Winter "Asgard II" carries out a programme of voyages from one to three weeks duration. The voyages involve visits to ports around Ireland, Britain and France and other parts of Europe. International events are organised by Sail Training International (STI). The Tall Ships series of races every summer, is the highlight of the sail-training season and provides the crew from each vessel with the opportunity to meet each other and to partake in trainee crew exchanges. In recent years, Coiste an Asgard has been involved with our Australian and Italian counterparts in more formal trainee exchange programmes.

People over 16 years of age are given the opportunity to go to sea on a traditionally rigged sailing ship. While on board they will learn much about the sea, sailing and themselves. During a voyage the trainees live together in the confined space of the vessel and share the many tasks and activities associated with the running of a sailing ship. The aim of the sail-training scheme is to give people the confidence and ability to face new challenges while at the same time teaching them how to mix well with others from all walks of life .
"On board" Asgard II, the word teamwork takes on a whole new meaning. While on board trainees learn about the sea and sailing and will live with the other trainees and crew on the vessel. Life on board "Asgard II" should never be dull, since there are countless tasks to be performed to maintain the smooth running of the ship.

Anyone aged 16 years or over can apply for a berth in one of the following categories :

Trainee: A person between the ages of 16 and 25 years with or without previous experience aboard Asgard II?.

Trainee Adult: A person over the age of 25 years with little or no previous experience in offshore sailing.

Watch Leader: A person with previous experience aboard, whom has been selected and passed the Asgard II Watch Leader Training Course.

Each applicant is required to pay a voyage fee based on a daily rate, mainly to cover the cost of food. The fees are kept low, so as to keep the cost within the reach of as many as possible.

 For further information and applications please see our website www.irishsailtraining.com or contact Coiste an Asgard at 00353-1-6792169.