Join us in France For an epic, Off-the-beaten-path sailing expedition on our fabled pilot cutters.
You do the navigating.
You do the sailing.
You take home the memories.
QBE’s off-the-beaten-path European sailing expeditions provide teens with the opportunity to learn how to sail as a crew member on a fabled sailboat—a pilot cutter, hailed by many as “the finest sailing boat design ever.” And not only will you learn how to sail a classic gaff-rig yacht, you’ll enjoy dozens of life-elevating experiences and cultural discoveries along the historic coastlines of western France, the Channel Islands, and southern England.
Our 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 mostly to make some suggestions, answer questions, and make sure our crews and cutters 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 our crew members sailing as much as they take us sailing. We even allow our students the latitude to get lost!
Nothing beats the camaraderie, daily adrenaline rushes, and game-changing personal satisfaction of small-yacht team sailing in our special corner of Europe. Moreover, the shared purpose integral to team yachting makes it one of the most effective (and desirable) personal-development platforms available, as well as one of the most emotionally rewarding.
So why not feel the wind in your hair next summer? Experience first hand what others just dream about. Go find your deck shoes and join us for a singular live-aboard yachting expedition that beats just about any other outdoor adventure option hands down.
Instruction is in English. Courses for adults available in June and September, or by special arrangement.
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ABOUT US: QBE (Qualified By Experience) is a top-shelf experiential-learning initiative supported by a group of adventure sport enthusiasts who all attended the same Swiss international school. Outdoor and cultural expeditions were mandatory, 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 rare pilot cutters on the market a number of years ago, he hatched the idea of making one of the school’s most transformative teen experiences available to young adults from a broad range of backgrounds.
When it comes to boosting self-esteem, challenging outdoor adventures (like small-yacht blue-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 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. 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 ask to come back and do it again. Several of our students this past season have already announced they plan to join us again next summer.
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 a small-team sport where nobody sits on the bench; every crew member plays 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.
“EVERYTHING HAS BEEN BETTER THAN I COULD IMAGINE…”
Meet Violet from Scotland, an August 2022 QBE crew member.
—Praise for QBE Director Will Sutherland from former colleagues—
“I am fully confident in recommending [QBE director Will Sutherland] very highly to you.”
—Didier Boutroux, former Head Master, Verbier International School, Switzerland
—Praise from former students—
“Will is a tremendous organizer and inspiring leader who is highly adept at facilitating this type of endeavor. I would wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend any program that he is involved with….and would sign up in a heartbeat if I were 18 again!”
—Dariane Hunt, Concord, MA, USA
Click on/tap the button below to learn more, or you can call us to discuss the many advantages of our gaff-rig sailing adventures. (You can use WhatsApp to reach us free from anywhere. But remember, we’re on Central European Time. New York +6)
—No previous sailing experience necessary—
new skills • new perspectives • new adrenaline rushes • new self-esteem
Transportation available to and from Paris airports | Staff to student ratio 1:3 | Safety record: Impeccable