It turns out that blue-water sailing is an extremely effective therapy for PTSD and depression—just one reason why a QBE expedition is so much more than a world-class gaff-rig yachting course. It’s often a life-elevating channel of grace.
“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.””
Wallace J. Nichols’ foundational book Blue Mind, published a decade ago, explains the science behind how being on or near water can improve our self-awareness, creativity, and physical and emotional health. It’s why sailing is one of the most therapeutic sports there is. Here’s the evidence that a yachting adventure should be on your teen’s summer option list. The video is 12 minutes long.
The QBE European Leadership School (ELS), known for its signature classic yachts, serves up impact sailing adventures for high-school students along the culturally rich coastlines of Brittany and the Channel Isles. Each camp emphasizes instruction in traditional sailing, cultural discovery, marine coastal ecology, and team-success coaching.
Our head-turning gaff-rig pilot cutters, authentically constructed by an artisan boatwright, are unmistakably “old-school chic.” Our frequent destinations are right out of a coffee-table book. And each expedition is largely organized by a (very) small international group of crew members who take ownership of practically all everyday tasks, including navigating, helping prepare meals, and taking turns at the wheel.
We even give our crews the latitude to get lost! (so we can teach them how to get their bearings)
If you’re looking for a singular adventure next summer, one that actually can change the trajectory of young lives, find some deck shoes and join us in Saint-Malo.
The staff–to-student ratio is 1:3. Instruction is in English.
Read more about sailing and PTSD on our blog.
Since 2023, we’ve welcomed crew members from the UK, France, the United States, Italy, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Norway, Greece, Switzerland, Canada, Turkey/Portugal, Croatia, and New Zealand. Several have told us they’re coming back next summer.
The better overnight sailing adventure for teens.
*OUR STORY: QBE (Qualified By Experience) is an internationally acclaimed expeditionary-learning initiative supported by a group of adventure sport enthusiasts who all met at a Swiss school that emphasized challenging co-curricular experiences. Outdoor and cultural expeditions were mandatory for all students, and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the among most popular options.
In 2009, one of the school’s former expedition masters—an outdoor education entrepreneur and advocate of “learning-by-experiencing”—came across two rare pilot cutters up for sale. He immediately hatched a plan to acquire them and make one of the school’s most transformative teen activities available to youngsters from a broad range of backgrounds. With the backing of some of his former students, “QBE Adventure Sailing” became the new focus of QBE Outdoor Education’s European Leadership School.
When it comes to boosting self-esteem and mood, 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.
A crowd gathers to watch a QBE cutter pass by
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.
What’s more, teens love it; many of our crew members ask to come back and do it again.
You may have never 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 just a horizon-expanding adventure, but also a life-elevating small-team sport where everybody plays an important role, crew members form strong bonds, and life takes on new purpose.
References on request.
You can read an English translation of a recent Bateaux.com article about QBE’s unique “learning by doing” philosophy here.
Click or tap to watch what some of our expeditioners had to say about their QBE adventure.
“PARENTS: Send your 15–18-year old to discover the healing power of the sea and small-team camaraderie.
Not only is sailing one of the most addictive lifestyle sports there is, it’s also one of the most therapeutic: calming, centering, inspirational (and in our case, educational). In fact, there are numerous veterans organizations that take vets sailing to help them overcome the emotional scars of combat.
A QBE expedition is a truly unique experience: our remarkable classic yachts; our historic, charm-blessed sailing area; and the generous personal attention paid to each participant make for an unequaled summer adventure.
Call or e-mail us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity for youngsters. For over three decades, we’ve never left our expeditioners’ lives where we’ve found them.”
All major credit cards accepted, so you can pay securely and with confidence.
life-elevating adventure • expert sailing instruction • NEW GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
No sailing experience necessary | Transportation available to and from Paris airports | Safety record: Impeccable