QBE’s European Leadership School doesn’t do the tourism-by-motorcoach thing. Instead we use head-turning gaff-rig pilot cutters to upskill and inspire our teenage crew members as they explore the charm-blessed, culturally rich coastlines of western France and the Channel Islands.

Nothing beats the camaraderie, daily adrenaline rushes, and personal satisfaction of live-aboard traditional sailing in our special corner of authentic Europe, not to mention the dozens of surprising discoveries along the way.

So leave the crowds behind and set sail with an impressive group of new friends on a classic yacht. Join us for a singular outdoor adventure that beats most of the alternatives hands down.

Since the Pandemic pause, we’ve welcomed international crews that have included expeditioners from the UK, France, the United States, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Poland, Greece, Canada, Turkey/Portugal, Switzerland, New Zealand, China, Angola, and Brazil.

Whether by plane, train, or ferry, getting to Brittany from anywhere is easy; we can even help organize transportation. And we always make sure everyone gets home safely! (In over 30 years we’ve never had a serious transportation issue. Nobody should miss an extraordinary opportunity like this over safety or logistics concerns.)

Apply now!

The language of instruction is English • Staff-to-crew ratio 1:3 • Safety record: Impeccable

*PARENTS: QBE (Qualified By Experience) is a hot-list expeditionary learning initiative supported by a group of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts who taught at or attended the same Swiss international school.

Outdoor and cultural expeditions were always mandatory for students, and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the outdoor activities of choice. So when one of the school’s former expedition masters came across two artisan-built pilot cutters on the market several years ago, a few of his former protégés immediately stepped up to help raise funds to purchase them. The idea was to make one the school’s most game-changing teen experiences available to a broader market.

When it comes to boosting self-esteem, challenging outdoor adventures (like small-yacht open-water sailing) can be the secret sauce, especially when each participant plays an important role. It’s no surprise then that so many top schools have adopted and now swear by various expeditionary learning activities.

But... unlike most outdoor adventures available elsewhere, QBE cruises have the additional advantage of daily revelations that result from discovering our sailing area’s vibrant ports, cultural sites, and regional cuisine.

There are few things in this world as satisfying as the triumphant exhilaration that overcomes young mariners when they cut through the water with a strong breeze in their sails, unless maybe it’s the pride they feel when pulling into port after a challenging day on the water. Participants go home feeling they’ve taken their lives to a new level—because… they have.

And so youngsters love it. In fact, having had no idea initially what to expect, many of our crew members are so taken with the experience that they come back to do it again, sometimes working part time during the school year to pay some or all of the fees