Postgraduate psychological studies student Morven Reddy is no stranger to the Tall Ships Races. This summer she'll be setting sail as a sail trainee, racing from Dunkirk in France to her home city of Aberdeen.
But it’s not the first time at sea for Morven, who first took part in the Tall Ships Races in 2019 at just 17 years old.
Six years ago she journeyed from Aalborg, Denmark to Fredrikstad in Norway on the Lord Nelson.
Morven explains: “I loved doing Tall Ships in 2019. It was an experience like no other with people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds coming together to race a variety of unique vessels.
“I originally found out about the Tall Ships Races when I was seeking sailing experience as it was a childhood dream of mine to join the Royal Navy. I knew from the moment I disembarked the Lord Nelson that it was something I would love to do again if I ever had the chance.
“In 2021, when I was finishing my sixth year exams I was diagnosed with a blood cancer, which prevents me from joining the Royal Navy, but I promised myself that when I finished chemotherapy I would find other ways to get out onto the ocean and hopefully do the Tall Ships Race again.
“When I first saw the Aberdeenshire Council adverts for applying to become a sail trainee this year, I applied without a second thought and I am so grateful I was one of the 200 odd that were chosen to participate.”
This summer Morven will be onboard the 54 metre A Class Gulden Leeuw in a race expected to take six days, a prospect about which she says she is “beyond excited”.
She continues: “I am looking forward to sailing on the Gulden Leeuw as she is one of the world's largest three-mast-topsail schooners and was used as training ship for a Danish nautical college which means she will be a great vessel for racing on.
“I am very excited and proud to be sailing into my hometown of Aberdeen. I am looking forward to being able to wave at my family and friends in the crowd as we sail in.
“The training has gone well so far. I am lucky, having previously experienced a Tall Ships Race and have previous sailing experience, that I know what to expect which has been good to reassure some of my crewmates as many have never sailed before.
“When we dock in Aberdeen I am looking forward to participating in the crew parade and competitions as they are always really fun and a great way to end such a special adventure. There will also be the prize giving ceremony as this event is a race to see who can go from Dunkirk to Aberdeen the fastest within each size category.”
Having competed in the races before, Morven has a bit of a head start and knows what to expect. And while there was time to take in the unique setting on her last journey, Morven says it certainly wasn’t a pleasure cruise.
“We do four-hour watches, so you’re on for four hours and then off for four hours which takes some getting used to. The worst one was midnight to 4am. You are assigned to a group and you have a Watch Master who oversees you.
“Some watches you could be prepping food and setting tables for mealtimes, or you could be up on deck tidying ropes and putting stuff away. There might be things happening with the sails – it really depended what watches you’re on.
“You might be on deck with whoever is at the helm, steering the boat and you’re basically watching all angles to make sure there aren't any hazards around about you – such as other vessels or fishing lines. The weirdest story I heard was when someone came across a sofa floating in the middle of the ocean that they had to avoid!
“At one point we were alongside submarines. They weren’t on the radar and we didn’t even know what country they belonged to!”
With the countdown on, Morven is raring to go and make her second Tall Ships race another unforgettable experience.
“The opportunity to participate in the Tall Ships Race 2025 is so unique that I know will help develop skills that I can use in every aspect of my life. Sailing in a race on any vessel, but even more so on a big ship like the Gulden Leeuw, requires discipline, teamwork, open and effective communication, constant problem-solving skills, comradery and organisation.
“As I discovered in 2019, this is truly a life changing experience which will allow people to see their true potential whilst building some amazing friendships. I met some amazing people in 2019 from all sorts of different backgrounds and I am still in touch with some of them today. It’s so unique it's hard to put into words, but I am incredibly excited and grateful that I get the opportunity to do it again.”