Teens: Join us in France next summer for a life-elevating impact adventure—an off-the-beaten-path sailing expedition and “worldschooling” experience on spectacular classic boats.
“As a parent l can say that my daughter’s three weeks with QBE in August 2023 have been the single most remarkable experience of her life. She was lucky to have this opportunity as a teenager. To say that it was a sailing trip does not do justice to her ‘growing up’ experiences.””
Come join an international crew of teens, catch the wind, and sail the magical coastlines of western France and the Channel Islands this summer on classic 46ft/14m yachts. There’s no better way to learn an exciting new life skill, expand your horizons, and find some new swagger.
Our fabled pilot cutters 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 our crew members who take ownership of most of the everyday tasks, including navigating, trimming the sails, and taking turns at the wheel. You’ll learn by doing!
After an initial orientation, our instructors are there mainly to make some suggestions, answer questions, and make sure nobody is ever in danger.
Think of the QBE teaching approach as the Socratic method applied to yachting. In fact, it’s fair to say we don’t take you sailing as much as you take us sailing. We even allow you and your crew mates the latitude to get lost (it happens)!
Nothing beats the camaraderie, daily adrenaline rushes, and game-changing personal satisfaction of small-yacht team sailing in our special corner of Europe.
Experience first hand what others only dream about. Go find your deck shoes and join us for a unique live-aboard sailing expedition that beats just about any other outdoor adventure option hands down.
Watch our trailer:
Let us prove our bona fides. Click or tap HERE to request a time to chat. We’d be delighted to discuss our extensive experience in outdoor education, answer any questions, and provide you with the coordinates of several former crew members who would be happy to tell you about their QBE experience. (We generally use WhatsApp or Skype).
Parents:
QBE (Qualified By Experience) is a niche experiential-learning initiative supported by a group of adventure sport enthusiasts who met at a Swiss international school famous for its emphasis on outdoor expeditions—especially skiing, cycling, mountaineering, and sailing. Some years back, they pooled their resources to help one of their most talented sailing coaches buy two special classic boats and make one of the school’s most transformative outdoor experiences available to a wider market.
When it comes to boosting self-esteem, demanding outdoor challenges can be fairy dust, especially when participants are given the autonomy to make many of their own expedition decisions—when they take charge. That’s why so many top schools have adopted, and now swear by, expeditionary learning activities.
As for traditional sailing, there’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of cutting through the water on a gaff-rig boat (sometimes with a dolphin escort), unless it’s the pride crew members feel when pulling into port after a busy day on the water. And QBE expeditioners get the additional benefit of daily revelations that come from discovering our sailing area’s vibrant ports, cultural sites, and regional cuisine.
QBE 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. You’ll be amazed at the difference a great adventure can make in a young adult’s life trajectory.
And what’s more, teens love it; many of our crew members return do it a second time. Several of our students this past season (2023) are joining us again in 2024. At least one has taken a job to help pay the tuition.
Expeditions depart in June (two weeks), July (three weeks), and August (three weeks).
Sailing may never have been on your radar, especially sailing so far away from home. But no matter where you live, it should be. It could be the best educational decision you ever make.
Contact us. Let’s chat. We’d love the opportunity to discuss our unique expeditions and explain what makes our QBE European Leadership School (ELS) cruises so special.
“Thank you! Thank you for everything! That was a life-changing trip and he hopes to return next year!””
““I am fully confident in recommending [QBE director Will Sutherland] very highly to you.””
No previous sailing experience necessary | Staff to crew member ratio 1:3 | All instruction is in English
