Course: Go sailing

Great sailing experiences awaits you on the full-day courses 'Learn to sail Viking' in the Viking ship 'Kraka Fyr', 'Estrid Byrding' or 'Helge Ask'. The Viking Ship Museum offers full-day courses for those who wish to learn how to sail a Viking ship. This will be the real deal when the participants go aboard the Viking ships to learn about square sails, tack, bowlines and all the other concepts associated.

The ships

On the course you can learn Viking sailing techniques in real Viking ships, depending on the day of the course you will be able to sail in one of three Viking ships 'Kraka Fyr', 'Estrid Byrding' or 'Helge Ask'. 

Kraka Fyr can be recognised by its light-coloured sails and relatively low boarded. The ship is a reconstruction of the Skuldelev 6, which was a fishing and cargo ship from around 1030.
Kraka Fyr was built in 1998, and boat builders and researchers tested the ship to learn more about ropes made of linden bast and horsehair, among other things. A particular focus was on its use and durability.

Estrid Byrding is the Viking Ship Museum's newest reconstruction, having taken the place of Roar Ege, who retired in 2016 after 32 years of faithful service. The reconstructed merchant ship proudly carries Roar Ege's beautiful orange woollen sails, which after repairs were still able to take part in several voyages. 

Finally, Helge Ask is a reconstruction of the warship Skuldelev 5, which was built at the museum in 1990-91. Since then, the ship has travelled many nautical miles both in connection with the ship's many expeditions and in connection with day courses and evening sailings. The warship is richly decorated with stripes painted in red and yellow, but also a beautiful dragon head that is added for special occasions. 

» Read more about the museum's boat collection...

The content of the course

The course will provide the participants with a thorough introduction to sailing with square sails, which is very different from sailing on modern sailing boats. In contrast to Bermuda sails and gaff sails, the square sail is placed in front of the mast, and it often requires some getting used to for sailors with experience from the more modern types of rigging.

The Viking ship’s special design will also be reviewed during the course, and the ship’s cordage will be introduced. The entire course will be based on practical exercises on Roskilde Fjord and before leaving the museum harbour, the participants will be provided with a brief introduction to safety precautions and life vests will be distributed. 

A full day of course in sailing Viking ships offers new experiences for both the novice sailor and he who seeks new challenges.

Lunch box is provided for all participants. Lunch is eaten on board.

Facts and dates in 2024:

5 July 2025: Course in the reconstruction of Skuldelev 3, the coastal trading ship Estrid Byrding

19 July 2025: Course in the reconstruction of Skuldelev 6, the fishing vessel Kraka Fyr

26 July 2025: Course in the reconstruction of Skuldelev 5, the longship Helge Ask

Time: 10:00 – app. 16:00

No previous experience with sailing Viking ships is required.

Note:
- For safety reasons, all participants must be able to understand Danish or English.
- Children minimum 12 years old
- We reserve the right to cancel if the weather is a safety risk or there are too few registrants.
- Duration: 6 hours
- Lunch box and a bottle of water included.
- Bring warm clothing.
- The ticket cannot be refunded unless the sailing is cancelled.
- Ticket fee is not refunded.
- Read more in our terms of agreement.