Teens—Join us for an unforgettable coming-of-age adventure along the magical coastlines of western France and the Channel Islands
QBE’s European Leadership School—jet fuel for teenage self-confidence and singular food for the soul (not to mention an absolute treasure trove of university application essay ideas).
“As a young teenager, back in the 1980s, at the urging from my parents, I was fortunate to experience crewing for a large luxury charter yacht company over several seasons in the Mediterranean. I began as an inexperienced green deckhand, then bosun, then engineer, 1st mate, and in my early twenties became a USCG Licensed Master Captain to captain those same yachts throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. Without question, my time at sea at a young age was the single most important experience in my life and an educational asset I use everyday. I am in my 60s today.
It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter of reference for QBE Sailing Camp. Ironically, now our son, who is 17 years old, has attended the camp for several years, and we have witnessed first-hand the remarkable impact it has had on his personal growth and development.
Each summer, he has returned more confident, independent, and self-reliant. The camp environment fosters responsibility and maturity, while also providing an extraordinary opportunity to connect with others from diverse backgrounds. He has gained a meaningful understanding of European cultures, developed lifelong friendships, and learned to navigate new experiences with poise and curiosity.
Among the vast nautical and sailing instruction, the travel experiences along the French Atlantic coast have been nothing short of incredible. The combination of adventure, exploration, and cultural immersion has enriched his outlook in ways that few programs could offer. We are especially grateful for the dedicated staff at QBE who create such a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for young people to thrive.
We wholeheartedly recommend QBE Sailing Camp as a transformative experience that not only builds sailing skills but also shapes character, independence, and a true appreciation for global connections.”
Join us next summer on the Brittany coast for some old-school sailing; life-success mentoring; and dozens of cultural, historical, and ecosystem discoveries on our 46ft/14m gaff-rig pilot cutters.
Our classic yachts are a delight to sail. Our frequent destinations are right out of a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book. And each expedition is largely organized by crew members who take ownership of most of the everyday tasks, including navigating, trimming the sails, and taking turns at the wheel. After an initial orientation, our instructors are there to make some suggestions, answer questions, and make sure our crews never find themselves in danger. Think of the QBE teaching approach as the Socratic method of teaching applied to yachting instruction. In fact, it’s fair to say we don’t take our crew members sailing as much as they take us sailing. We even allow our students the latitude to get lost! Which they have been known to do.
Nothing beats the adrenaline rushes, amazing experiences, and life-elevating personal satisfaction of a QBE maritime expedition. Whether below deck, above deck, or exploring all the mind-opening treasures ashore—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that won’t leave you where it found you.
Summer sailing adventure for teens on fabulous iconic yachts! Check out QBE's sailing expeditions for high school students along fabled Breton and British coastlines.
ABOUT US:
QBE (Qualified By Experience) is an internationally known experiential-learning initiative supported by a group of adventure sport enthusiasts who all attended the same Swiss boarding school. Outdoor and cultural expeditions there were mandatory for students, and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the preferred outdoor options.
So when one of the school’s former expedition masters came across two hand-built pilot cutters on the market a number of years ago, he and some former students hatched a plan to make one of the school’s most transformative teen experiences available to young adults from a broad range of backgrounds.
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QBE Director Will Sutherland has decades of impressive teaching experience at one of the world’s leading international schools. In the past, he has coached several winning sailing teams at Cowes Week and taught the children of several high-profile notables, including Middle Eastern and European royalty.
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When it comes to boosting self-esteem, challenging outdoor adventures (like small-yacht open-water sailing) can be fairy dust, especially when participants are given the reins to make many of their own expedition decisions. That’s why so many top schools have adopted, and now swear by, expeditionary learning activities.
As for QBE sailing, there’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of cutting through the water on a traditional boat, unless it’s the pride crew members feel when pulling into port after a busy day on the water. And unlike, say, a wilderness trek, there are also the daily revelations that come from discovering our sailing area’s vibrant ports, cultural sites, and regional cuisine.
Participants go home feeling they’ve taken their lives to a new level… because they have.
It’s simply a fact that self-esteem is a powerful catalyst for academic and career success. Parents are often amazed how confidence gained on a QBE expedition goes on to elevate their son’s or daughter’s life trajectory.
And what’s more, teens love it; many of our crew members ask to come back and do it again. Several of our students last season have signed up to join us again this summer. We understand some have even taken part-time jobs to help pay the fees.
Expeditions are in June (two weeks), July (three weeks), and August (three weeks).
You may never have even considered sending your teen on a summer sailing expedition, much less one along the French coast. But no matter where you live, you should. It’s not only a mind-expanding adventure, but an introduction to a terrific lifestyle sport in which every crew member gets to play an important role.
Contact us. Or drop in to see us. Let’s talk. We’d love the opportunity to discuss our unique expeditions and explain what makes QBE’s European Leadership School (ELS) special. References on request.
New skills • new perspectives • new Adrenaline rushes • new confidence
Transportation available to and from Paris airports | No sailing experience necessary