SET SAIL IN THE WAKE OF TRADITION!

Unique Sailing and Cultural Exchange Program for Antiguan Youngsters and Swedish Sail Trainees

In a collaborative effort to celebrate maritime heritage and foster cultural exchange, the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation is partnering with the Swedish Tall Ship Gunilla to organize the “Set Sail in the Wake of Tradition” program. This took place on March 6th and 7th 2026 and aims to introduce Antiguan youth to the art of traditional square-rigged sailing while creating meaningful connections with Swedish sail trainees.
This year, forty students from Jennings Secondary School and Antigua & Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) Set Sail for an unforgettable day aboard the Tall Ship Gunilla. Under the guidance of skilled Swedish trainees and crew, they hoisted the sails and experienced sailing on the ocean on a majestic traditional square-rigged ship.

Tall Ship Gunilla

The ship was launched in 1940 as a long-haul cargo ship. Except for a short time in the 50s, when the ship acted as a ferry, transporting people and cars to Öland, she sailed with the cargo until the 90s. In 1997 Gunilla was rebuilt entirely into a 3-masted barque. She has since been active at a Swedish college, where social studies students aged 18-19 spend 60 days each year as part of their education, learning to sail, work together, and become aware of the world situation. 

 https://www.ockerogymnasieskola.se/2.f65bfc015500ef7648bf3e5.html

Ocean Sailing Adventure for Antiguan Students

For many of the students, this was their first time stepping onto a vessel of such magnitude, a towering, three-masted tall ship that seemed to belong more to history books than to their everyday lives. 

The program, “Set Sail in the Wake of Tradition,” is more than just a school excursion. The forty students from Jennings Secondary School and the Antigua & Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), they stepped into a world where the ocean was the classroom and the Swedish sail trainees were their teachers. Some of the Antiguan students had never been out on the ocean before.

As they arrived aboard the Tall Ship Gunilla, there was a mix of excitement, curiosity, and fear for the unknown. The captain, crew and the Swedish trainees greeted them warmly, and no better welcome than with a Swedish breakfast. Language differences faded quickly, replaced by camaraderie, laughter, and a shared sense of curiosity.

The day began with introductions and safety briefings, but it wasn’t long before the real experience began. “Hands to the lines!” called one of the crew members, and suddenly the students were no longer just visitors; they were part of the crew. Guided by experienced sailors, they learned how to pull the ropes and hoist the massive sails that carry the ship forward. No winches on this ship, so hoisting sails and bracing the yards takes at least 10 people. The students began to move together, finding rhythm and strength in teamwork. We left Falmouth Harbour and sailed into the open ocean, leaving the sight of land behind. The deep blue ocean is impressive, but it also has its challenges, and the waves and rolling ship made some students a little uncomfortable.

Swedish sail trainees join the Ocean Love NO Plastic NO Waste Workshop

While one group of Swedish students took the Antiguans to the ocean, the other group of Swedish trainees spent the day onshore participating in the “Classroom to Community” initiative. This program is designed to give visiting trainees a deeper understanding of Antigua’s culture and history through a tour of Nelson’s Dockyard, and they joined the environmental project, “Ocean Love NO Plastic NO Waste,” from the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation. They learned about the dangers of the plastic pollution of the oceans, the 4Rs Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as solutions to the problem and how to upcycle plastic waste into new valuable products.

They cleaned the beach and discussed what might have been the problem if all the trash had been washed into the ocean. One of the highlights of the visit was the open discussion between the Swedish students and Antiguan volunteers, during which we shared experiences and discussed the similarities and differences between life in the Caribbean and in Sweden.
Moments like these remind us that sailing is not only about the sea, it’s about connection, learning, and cultural exchange.

As the students aboard Gunilla returned to shore at the end of their day, their conversations buzzed with excitement as they recounted their favourite moments, the satisfaction of working together to raise the sails, the challenges overcome, and the friendships formed in just a few short hours.

What made the experience truly special was not just the sailing itself, but the connections it fostered. Students found themselves working alongside peers from another country, discovering that despite differences in language and culture, they shared the same sense of wonder and adventure.

And for those forty students, it was the beginning of a journey, one that would continue to shape their perspectives, inspire their dreams, and remind them that sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures begin with a single step aboard a ship.

The West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation aims to inspire young people to embrace sailing, discover the ocean, and connect with international youngsters. Picture the excitement of hoisting the sails and making friends from different countries and cultures! This program fosters appreciation for traditional sailing and maritime heritage, creating lasting memories and connections that celebrate our shared love for the sea. Join us in setting sail for an incredible journey!

Check also the ABS TV interview on the 8 AM Morning Show: https://youtu.be/Q0OzZqeAOSM?si=1ZerdiYF9L3l2D1L

We are grateful to our sponsors for making this happen

• Tall Ship Gunilla: www.ockerogymnasieskola.se
• Caribbean Sail Training: www.caribbeansailtraining.com
• Sail Training International: https://sailtraininginternational.org/sailtraining/
• Antigua & Barbuda National Park: www.nationalparksantigua.com