YOUNGSTERS have the chance to take to the ocean waves and compete in an international sailing event.

Weymouth’s tall ship Pelican will be taking part in a leg of the Tall Ships Races starting this coming weekend, along with around 100 other ships from around the world.

Young people in Dorset may be able to take advantage of bursaries that have become available to take part in the event.

The crew of Pelican is looking for young people aged 15 to 25 to join them.

No previous experience is necessary, just plenty of enthusiasm.

In previous years students from Thomas Hardye School, All Saints, Wey Valley and IPACA have taken part in the event across Europe.

Becky Simmons, marketing manager at Adventure Under Sail, the charity which operates TS Pelican, said the bursaries provided an amazing chance for people to have the adventure of a lifetime.

She said: “We are delighted to announce that three bursaries have become available for race three, sailing from the Spanish ports of Cadiz to La Coruna, 30th July to August 13.

“We’re looking for young people to benefit from these bursaries which reduce the voyage fee to just £300 per person.

“It will be a summer to remember.”

TS Pelican is a sail training vessel meaning that people of all ages can come aboard and learn how to sail, simultaneously acquiring vital skills for personal and professional development.

Becky added: “This experience is a great addition to a CV or higher education application.

“And we’d love for young people from the south to help us represent our county and our country on this international platform.”

The Tall Ships’ Races began in 1956 and started as a race of 20 of the world’s remaining large sailing ships. The race was from Torbay to Lisbon and was meant to be a last farewell to the era of the great sailing ships.

However, public interest was so intense the Sail Training International Race Committee formed a founding organisation and has since organised Tall Ships’ Races and Regattas annually around the world, attracting hundreds of ships and millions of spectators.

They are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing. The event includes live music, local cuisine and crew parades at each host port.

This year’s races started from Antwerp, Belgium earlier this month when thousands lined the quayside to bid them safe voyage.

Weymouth has hosted the start of the race on three separate occasions drawing tens of thousands of people to the town for an amazing adventure of sail..

For more information contact the charity on 01305 858274 or visit adventureundersail.com