How concerned should I be about my teen’s safety in France this summer?

Paris is hosting the summer Olympics this year, and everyone has seen the reporting: possible terrorist attacks, strikes, travel disruptions caused by protesters, etc. We’ve done everything we can to mitigate those concerns.

First, we’re operating out of the Channel Island of Jersey this season. Situated in the Bay of Saint-Malo, near the Normandy coast, this delightful British Crown dependency has its own small international airport. So we’ll be avoiding the throngs of visitors descending on Paris and other large French cities. Second, we move about on small boats, so we don’t have to worry about tractors blocking roads and highways. And third, we cruise to off-the-beaten-path destinations, far from the media circus that some think might invite tragic publicity stunts. We think our out-of-the-way ports of call are unlikely targets for any violent mischief.

While there are never any safety guarantees anywhere, even in the best of years, we doubt we’ll have any “issues.” Frankly, most of the incidents (all minor) we’ve had in the past stemmed from crew members not following our safety protocols.

What makes your program(me) different from other sailing courses and "camps"?

Well, of course, we all share some things in common. But there are important differences:

1) Extremely small groups. You can’t really teach teens—or anybody for that matter—how to sail in just three weeks if they don’t have ample time to practice. Small groups (6–7 participants per boat) makes it possible to give every crew member hours of personal attention. In fact, a QBE expedition is as close as you’ll get to private sailing lessons given that sailing a 46ft yacht is a team sport—you have to have a crew. And so we also stress team dynamics from day one. Our small crews allow participants to bond quickly. (The larger the crew, the longer it takes for everybody to get to know—and trust—each other.) As a result of our “small-batch” philosophy, QBE is able to achieve remarkable results in just 14–21 days.

2) Will Sutherland, our director, has extensive experience teaching sailing and other outdoor expedition skills at one of Europe's finest international schools. He coached his school’s J24 racing team that competed at Cowes Week for seven years. His teams won the class five times and came in second on the other two occasions. Over the years, many of the world's most accomplished people have entrusted their children to him.  

3) Location. Location. Location. QBE is based in Europe. That means it brings mind-expanding cultural exposure to the table. The tuition includes admission to museums and other significant heritage sites at several stopovers.

4) The facilities, i.e., the boats, are not run-of-the-mill 30-footers. They are truly "old-school" remarkable. Participants get to experience the romance of learning to sail winsome gaff-rig yachts and the satisfaction of watching people stare and snap pics when they sail into port.

5) Exceptional epeditioner autonomy. After a few days of orientation, QBE crew members make many of their own sailing and navigation decisions. They even have the latitude to get lost! That is no small matter. It’s the self-esteem that flows from that kind of personal agency that acts as a dynamic catalyst for leadership development and academic success.

6) Tremendous Value. Our artisan-built pilot cutters are extremely expensive to maintain. Our capacity is limited (see bullet point 1). And because we operate in the English Channel, our sailing season is short. As a result, we necessarily rely on volunteers and generous patrons to make an extraordinary experience possible. If, given our costs, constraints, and added value, we charged what we “ought” to charge, we’d be almost twice as expensive. But then we wouldn’t be able to offer perhaps our most important advantage: an impressive, eclectic peer group. Our crews are comprised of motivated teenagers from dozens of countries and diverse backgrounds. Over the years we’ve welcomed the children of teachers, gallery owners, healthcare professionals, airline pilots, successful entrepreneurs—people from every walk of life, even members of European royal families. In fact, our amazing participants are probably our greatest asset. They certainly make every QBE experience special. And so we do everything we can to recruit the best, including keeping fees as competitive as possible.

Why does QBE often use the name European Leadership School?

QBE is an umbrella organization that, since 1992, has led hundreds of outdoor adventures for teens and adults. “The European Leadership School” is our summer sailing project for teenagers. In recent years, we have migrated away from the ELS brand as “leadership schools” have come to be associated more with interventions, as opposed to old-school personal development courses. We frequently use the term “sailing camp” in our advertising because that’s what parents search for. But we’re much more than a European frolic on sailboats—we certainly emphasize sailing skills, but we also teach teamwork dynamics, European cultural heritage, local ecosystem diversity, and foundational leadership skills. And we’re good at it.

What advantages does small-group sailing offer over other outdoor activities?

First, small groups! With just seven crew members on a boat, everybody has an important role. Often, in many other team sports, only the most athletic participants get to play. Certainly the athletically gifted get the most attention. On a QBE expedition, nobody “sits on the bench.” All crewmates get turns at the helm, help trim the sails, and offer expedition input.

Second, you don’t have to be extremely fit to sail our boats. Teens who would struggle to keep up on an Alpine trek or ambitious cycling tour have little problem tugging at ropes on our cutters. Yet, at the end of a sailing expedition, there is a similar sense of accomplishment.

And third, crew members not only learn something about teamwork, they acquire a great life skill: sailing is one of the most exhilarating, satisfying sports there is, and one that can open doors. We realize that sailing is not on the radar screens of most people who don’t live near the sea or other large bodies of water, but they don’t know what they’re missing. In 2022, we welcomed a young man from the landlocked American state of Montana who had never been sailing before. He was so smitten with his experience he came back the next year and subsequently enrolled in a maritime academy!

How long does it take to process an application?

Generally less than a week.

Does QBE provide financial aid?

Unfortunately we don’t. Because we can’t. Our groups are small: only 14 places per expedition. So we can’t give places away and still afford to sail. But there are a number of online crowdfunding options available to families who need help paying for various educational expenses. GoFundMe is probably the most popular. It appears that platform is used mostly to raise money for college/university expenses, but if you have a compelling story, it may be worth a try.

How long have you been taking kids sailing on leadership courses?

QBE was founded in 1992. But Will has been taking youngsters on personal-development cruises since he was an expeditions master at a leading Swiss international school in the 1970s (He had a boat in Antibes, in the south of France).

Where do your participants come from?

Around the world. The last two seasons, our crew members hailed from such countries as the UK, the United States, Italy, Spain, Croatia, France, Poland, New Zealand, Portugal, Germany, and Ireland.

Will you share the names and coordinates of former crew members and/or their parents who can vouch for your courses?

Absolutely. Just e-mail us: info@elsleaders.com

Is QBE accredited by any industry association? 

Organizations like the AEE (The Association for Experiential Education), which operate largely in the U.S., help regulate activities that otherwise are unregulated and unsupervised. For example, you don't HAVE to have a license to take kids rock climbing, backpacking, or canoeing. So industry associations step in to address safety concerns. On the other hand, sailing in Europe has been heavily regulated for years. Will Sutherland is licensed by the Royal Yachting Association, the governing body for sailing in the United Kingdom. In fact, he is a former RYA instructor. That means that apart from being an accomplished, experienced sailor, he is well-trained in first aid and emergency procedures. In addition, by law, all boats are given thorough annual safety inspections.

Does QBE offer similar courses for adults?

Yes, in the fringe season. In the past, QBE has conducted leadership courses for businesses and educational excursions for groups and families. A wide range of programs and itineraries can be organized. Contact us to request more information and check availability.

Has there ever been a serious accident?

No. Our safety record has been excellent. Knock on wood!

What happens in the event of a medical emergency?

There is excellent medical care available throughout Europe, including St-Malo, the Channel Islands, and ports along the French coastline.

Do you have to speak some French?

No. Not a word. The working language of the Leadership School is English. But it helps if you know a few words of French when you're out and about in, say, St-Malo. If you speak English as a foreign language, the boats and many destinations are great places to practice your English with native speakers.

Are the boats co-ed?

Sometimes. In our experience, mixed crews offer advantages when creating a learning environment. But of course, we always have separate cabin arrangements. Moreover, all movements on a boat are easily heard and thus easily supervised.

What things should my child bring?

There is a list included in the information package that will be forwarded to you when you make a deposit.

Does my child need any previous sailing experience?

No. Most of the participants have never sailed before.

In the event my child has to withdraw due to an unforeseen emergency, is tuition refundable?

Tuition is refundable up until sixty days before the beginning of the course. We recommend parents purchase cancellation insurance in the event their plans necessarily change at the last moment.