Join us next summer for a small-yacht sailing holiday along the scenic coastlines of France and the channel islands, designed especially for teenagers.
“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.”
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The QBE European Leadership School uses Insta-worthy traditional sailboats to take high school students on adventure holidays to under-the-radar ports and anchorages along the postcard coastlines of western France and the Channel Islands. Come discover why nothing beats the camaraderie, daily adrenaline rushes, and personal satisfaction of small-yacht sailing in our unique corner of Europe. Feel the wind in your hair next summer. Grab your deck shoes and join us in Brittany for an adventure that beats most other summer options hands down. Apply now!
Teens—sail small, live large! Check out QBE's adventure sailing holidays along the French and British coastlines on fabulous classic yachts.
“[My son] had the time of his life, loved the experience and everyone he shared it with. [He] hasn’t stopped regaling us all with tales of the adventure… As he has said he would like to go again, I said three weeks? He said he’d go back for three months if he could. So hopefully next year for three weeks.
Once again thank you so much Will and Guy. And to all the hard working crew.””
ABOUT US
QBE (Qualified By Experience) is an internationally known experiential-learning initiative supported by a group of adventure sport enthusiasts who all attended the same Swiss boarding school. Outdoor and cultural expeditions were mandatory for students, 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 exceptional classic pilot cutters on the market some years back, he hatched a plan to make 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 open-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 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.
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 son or daughter 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.
The language of instruction is English | No previous sailing experience necessary | Safety record: Impeccable
new skills • new perspectives • new adrenaline rushes • new confidence