Bermuda residents will get the chance to hop on board when the Tall Ship races begin next April.

No prior sailing experience is needed and the golden opportunity to sail across the Atlantic is open to young and old ­­— no age criteria has been set.

Docking in six countries — including Bermuda — the ships will embark on the 7,000 nautical-mile race as they sail through the North Atlantic.

Those interested in the adventure have been invited by Sail Training Association of Bermuda. The event, Rendezvous 2017, has been organised by Sail Training International, the American Sail Training Association and Le Rendez-Vous Naval de Quebec to mark the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation through its founders and founding provinces.

The first race begins on April 13, with the tall ships racing from Royal Greenwich, Britain, to Sines in Portugal. Race two is from Portugal to Bermuda. Race three is from Bermuda to Boston and the fourth leg will take the vessels from Boston to St Lawrence Ports. The final leg, race five, will be from Halifax to Le Havre in France — concluding on September 3.

Potential sail trainees of all ages should contact Craig Nikolai at craig@tallships.bm or visit www.tallshipsbermuda.com as soon as possible.

People aged 16 to 25 who are unable to meet the financial costs of their selected voyage may apply to STA Bermuda for a financial bursary worth up to 75 per cent of the cost of participating in one leg of the race.

While the planning for the event began three years ago, confirmation of more than 20 tall ships coming to Bermuda has been received.