Teens: Join us on the west coast of France for a hot-list sailing expedition aboard our head-turning traditional boats.
Small yachts. Big adventure. Unique experiences that could help shape your future.
Join us this summer for an impact European sailing opportunity for 15–18-year olds. QBE’s off-the-beaten-path expeditions provide dozens of life-elevating experiences and cultural discoveries along the postcard-worthy coastlines of western France and the Channel Islands.
Our classic 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 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 mainly to make some suggestions, answer questions, and make sure you are never 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 crewmates the latitude to get lost!
At the end of the day, nothing beats the camaraderie, daily adrenaline rushes, and game-changing personal satisfaction of small-yacht team sailing in our spectacular corner of Europe. So why not feel some wind in your hair next summer? Experience first hand what others just dream about. Go find your deck shoes and join us for a magical live-aboard sailing expedition that beats most other outdoor adventure options hands down. Instruction is in English.
—In 2023, we welcomed three international crews, including young expeditioners from the UK, France, the United States, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Poland, Greece, Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, and New Zealand.
*PARENTS: QBE (Qualified By Experience) is a top-shelf expeditionary learning initiative supported by a group of like-minded adventure enthusiasts who taught at or attended a Swiss international school famous for its physically challenging co-curriculum.
Various outdoor expeditions were always mandatory for us; and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the popular options. So when one of our former expedition masters came across two artisan-built pilot cutters on the market a number of years ago, he immediately started working the phone to raise funds to purchase them. His idea was to make one the school’s most transformative teen experiences available to a much larger cohort of youngsters who yearn for the romance of a great adventure.
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. 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 with a strong breeze in your sails, unless it’s the sense of wonder crew members experience outside their day-to-day comfort zones or the pride they feel when pulling into port after a challenging day on the water. Too, unlike, say, a wilderness trek, there are all the daily revelations that come from discovering our sailing area’s vibrant ports, cultural sites, museums, 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 and educators are constantly amazed at the difference a great adventure can make on a teenager’s life trajectory. And what’s more, youngsters love it. In fact, many of our crew members ask to come back and do it again.
The boats are filling up. Enroll now to secure your teen’s place!
Of course, we are always happy to provide references.
“five-star review”
Meet Violet, a 2022 expedition crew member from Scotland.
“As a parent l can say that my daughter’s three weeks with QBE in August 2023 has been the single most remarkable experience of her life… To say that it was a sailing trip does not do justice to her ‘growing up’ experiences.””
“Thank you! Thank you for everything! That was a life-changing trip and [my son] hopes to return next year!””
“I am fully confident in recommending [QBE director Will Sutherland] very highly to you.””
new skills • new perspectives • new adrenaline rushes • new self-confidence
No previous sailing experience necessary | The language of instruction is English