Forget the big ships. Forget the coaches. Join us in Europe for an amazing Adventure cruise on our Insta-worthy classic sailing yachts.
“Thank you! Thank you for everything! That was a life-changing trip and [my son] hopes to return next year!””
The QBE* European Leadership School offers adventure sailing cruises for high-school students looking to expand their horizons. We use uncommon, extremely impressive sailboats to take crew members to off-the-beaten-path ports and anchorages along the magical coastlines of western France and the Channel Islands. Nothing beats the adrenaline rushes, camaraderie, and life-elevating personal satisfaction of small-yacht team sailing. So why not feel the wind in your hair next summer? Join us for a European outdoor adventure that beats most of the alternatives hands down! Instruction is in English.
Embark on a great adventure. Practice your French (or English, if it’s not your native language). Learn to sail. Have a great time.
*PARENTS: QBE (Qualified By Experience) is a top-shelf, if somewhat obscure, initiative supported by a group of like-minded adventure enthusiasts who taught at or attended the same Swiss international school. Outdoor and cultural expeditions were always mandatory for us, and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the outdoor activities of choice. So when one of our former expedition masters came across two rare pilot cutters on the market several years ago, he immediately started working the phone to raise funds to purchase them. His idea was to make a transformative teen experience available to a broader group of youngsters.
When it comes to boosting self-esteem, challenging outdoor adventures (like small-yacht open-water sailing) can be the secret sauce, especially when participants are given the reins to make many of their own expedition decisions. There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of cutting through the water with a strong breeze in your sails, unless it’s the pride you feel when pulling into port after a challenging day on the water. It’s simply a fact that self-esteem is a powerful catalyst for academic and career success. Parents and educators are constantly amazed at the difference a great adventure can make in a teenager’s life trajectory. And what’s more, youngsters love it. In fact, many of our crewmates come back and do it again.
(ELS courses are run by one of Europe’s most seasoned sailing and life-skills coaches. No previous sailing experience necessary.)
new skills • new perspectives • new adrenaline rushes • new confidence