Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Tall ships celebrations - San Diego and Liverpool

by Sail-World Cruising on 4 Sep 2012
Tall ships on the Mersey - photo Peter Byrne SW
Show me a sailor who doesn't love the sight of a tall ship sailing with full sails and I'll show you a dead one. This week was a celebration of our sailing heritage in both Liverpool in Britain and San Diego in California, with an amazing 31 tall ships gracing the two ports.

San Diego's Festival was hosted by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, and more than 20 tall ships and other fascinating vessels from around the world livened up the North Embarcadero area of the port.

The festival is held over Labor Day weekend each year. Featuring cannon fire to start the celebrations crowds are welcome to tour the ships during the entire festival. This didn't stop long queues, but there was a festive air, with a petting zoo for kids, Tall ship cannon battles, Treasure Seeker Pirate themed bay cruises, over 100 arts and craft vendors, plus a multitude of food options, even interaction with some of the onboard pirates.

In Liverpool, eleven Tall Ships of various sizes sailed into the city as part of the inaugural Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta.

It might have been half a world away, but the atmosphere was the same. Many of the Tall Ships were open to the public accompanied by events including street theatre, dancing, craft workshops, story telling, community choirs and a brass band - and, of course, the Parade of Sail.

Enjoy the images!




Switch One DesignB&G Zeus SR AUSMaritimo M50

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Cadet World Championship day 0
Just how long is a piece of string? So here we are, day one of the Cadet Worlds proper. The British Worlds Team have all arrived safely on site after their marathon journeys and tales of Cadets visiting the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug
Festival of Sails 2026 expands to 5 days of racing
Australia's largest celebration of sailing just got even bigger Australia's largest celebration of sailing just got even bigger, with the Festival of Sails expanding to five action-packed days of racing.
Posted on 4 Aug