Adam James has joined the Lowestoft-based Excelsior Trust as its new skipper.
Adam comes with a wealth of experience having spent most of his career either sailing or building boats. Originally trained as a yacht designer and traditional boatbuilder he has worked on both traditional and modern vessels, and was also the Coxswain of the most northerly lifeboat in the UK.
“I have been lucky enough to sail most of my life, beginning with a mirror dinghy in Devon onto sailing larger vessels when by chance I was offered a place sailing with Ocean Youth Club (now Trust) at the age of 12. I have to say now that I was incredibly seasick but still loved it! I then went on to sail most summers taking part in Tallships Races and other longer trips, working my way up through their volunteer scheme, this lead me to go to study Naval Architecture for small craft and boat construction.
“I have had some interesting jobs, I was part of the team building Tenacious for the Jubilee Sailing Trust. I developed the Professional Yachtmaster Course for United Kingdom Sailing Academy, I’ve sailed across the Atlantic and raced in most places in the world. I’ve won Cowes week twice, once on a boat I built.”
In his new role as Skipper for Excelsior Adam is keen to engage with schools, youth and adult groups to introduce them to what to expect with life on board and what they can achieve:-
“I have really enjoyed the sailing trips I’ve done this year both filling in for Charlotte on the Tallships Race to Aberdeen and bringing Excelsior Home from the Baltic. The whole team have a lot to do this winter on the refit so any volunteers would be most welcome. I am really looking forward to the amazing sailing schedule we have planned for 2026, especially visiting Norway. I’ve got big shoes to fill taking over from such an exceptional previous skipper but hope to be able to lead Excelsior forward to new and exciting horizons.”
2026 Sailing Programme
Beginning in the spring, there will be daysails available from Suffolk plus overnight, weekends or longer. Further afield Excelsior will be sailing to the Blankenberge Festival a family event over a long holiday weekend in Belgium which takes place between the 14th and 17th May.
From the end of June once again Excelsior will be taking part in the annual The Tall Ships Races 2026 – Sail Training International which gives young people between the ages of 15 and 25 a chance to experience sailing alongside and against some really beautiful original, and replica tall ships. Three of the legs are already booked.
Following the Tall Ships Races the boat will be sailing from Aarhus in Denmark to Rostock in northern Germany for their annual sailing festival Home – Hanse Sail. Excelsior will then begin to head home to Lowestoft via the Kiel Canal on an 8-day voyage.
All Excelsior’s 5-day and more voyages qualify for the DofE Gold Residential Award.
For details on the 2026 sailing programme visit:- https://www.theexcelsiortrust.co.uk/2026-sailing-schedule or call: 07821 281950
