QBE yachting expeditions in Brittany & The Channel Isles for teens: gaff-rig (traditional) sailing, off-the-beaten-path discovery, and singular outdoor fun!
Join us for two or three weeks aboard our signature artisan-built pilot cutters—boats with a soul.
QBE stands for “Qualified By Experience.” Its European Leadership School (ELS), based in Saint-Malo, France, offers small-group sailing expeditions that lever exhilarating but safe team adventure to teach young adults (14–18) not only how to sail a traditionally rigged yacht, but also something about collaboration, resilience, leadership, coastal ecology, and authentic European culture.
We also provide an ideal opportunity for non-native speakers to practice their English (the language of instruction) and, for those who are interested, to learn a little French.
In an age of dazzling virtual reality, addictive online games, and social media, adolescents often are robbed of opportunities to experience challenging rites of passage that formerly were seen as essential for the attainment of responsible adulthood. That, in a nutshell, is what we provide.
Consider: In August 2025, eight of twelve crew members were returning for the second, third, or FOURTH time! And some are already signing up for 2026. The fact that QBE expeditions are now becoming a summer ritual for a number of families should say it all.
“As a parent l can say that my daughter’s three weeks with QBE in August 2023 [were] the single most remarkable experience of her life. She was lucky to have this opportunity as a teenager. To say that it was a sailing trip does not do justice to her ‘growing up’ experiences.
The expression ‘life changing’ can sound like a cliché, but the QBE course brings life changing memories and a whole new perspective on life that the world is indeed as big as their dreams. It was the adventure of a lifetime.””
Conceived and supervised by the former sailing coach at a leading Swiss international school, QBE’s maritime expeditions are uniquely designed to help crews of high school students display their ingenuity, gain new perspectives, and ultimately develop greater self-esteem—a proven catalyst for academic and life success.
“Amazing,” “Incredible,” “Remarkable”—our parents’ and expeditioners’ words, not ours:
“It was really amazing… [a] great experience to go to all these little French towns with all the new friends I’ve made here…”
“What an incredible experience this has been…”
“Everything has been better than I could imagine… FIVE-STAR REVIEW!”
—and on and on.
QBE is ranked among the top-five key “teen adventure sailing” options by Perplexity—and the only one in Europe:
— ”Their unique ‘worldschool’ format and old-school sailing instruction on classic vessels make them a leader for teens seeking epic sailing adventures in Europe.”
—From an October 2025 Microsoft Bing AI-assisted search result.
Curious about what other AI platforms have to say about QBE? Click or tap HERE.
Pics taken during recent expeditions:
Nothing fuels teen curiosity or propels young lives like a QBE sailing expedition. And few outdoor opportunities are more expansively educational or, for that matter, fun. All things considered, we doubt you’ll find another teen adventure anywhere that can replicate a life-elevating QBE experience. It really is an opportunity for teens to discover life’s possibilities.
Two- and three-week expeditions are available in June, July, and August.
“ [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.”
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QBE = Qualified By Experience
Dear Parents,
As the name suggests, QBE is all about learning through doing. Over the course of my long career in teaching and coaching young people, I’ve developed a set of proven pedagogical strategies that we put into practice on every expedition.
Each QBE voyage is more than just a summer adventure—it’s a meaningful enrichment experience. Teens don’t just learn a lifestyle-enhancing skill like gaff-rig sailing; they also gain real self-confidence—earned through shared challenge and success as part of an international team of young mariners.
Even with the growing number of summer opportunities available to families, I consistently hear from alumni that their QBE expedition ranks among the most rewarding experiences of their lives. That’s something we’re very proud of—and we work hard to earn the trust and appreciation of both students and parents.
Our website offers detailed information about our maritime expeditions, but if you have further questions, I’d be delighted to speak with you directly.
I hope you’ll consider everything QBE has to offer—and allow me the privilege of welcoming your exceptional teen into the QBE family next summer.
Warm regards,
William Sutherland
Founder & Director, QBE
Read about Will and his unique “learning by doing” philosophy in an article that appeared recently on the Bateaux.com website, one of France’s most popular boating publications. Here is an English translation.
Charting Exciting New Courses
Call it a nautical map for success. Team sailing teaches you how to contend with forces you can't control and compels you to rely on crewmates for support. It requires you constantly to adapt to changing weather, winds, and tides to achieve objectives. But it's also tremendously rewarding—there's the thrill of the wind in your hair as you cut through the water and, in our case, the satisfaction of sailing into port on beautiful traditional pilot cutters. Not only are our connoisseurs' sailboats fun to sail, but they're the perfect size for teaching self mastery and other important life lessons.
Destinations >
New Life Skills and Confidence
Virtual learning simply can’t replicate the impressive results of one-on-one sailing instruction and mentoring. As a QBE crew member, you not only learn how to sail, but also how to function in all the important roles on your team. Too, the many challenges of traditional sailing, including using the stars and a compass to plot a course, help you develop a problem-solving mentality. Over 2–3 weeks, you'll gain surprising life insights and make new friends from around the world. It's a transformative experience, one that could change your life forever. You'll be amazed how much you discover about yourself.
Cruises >
A Perfect European Setting
Situated on the Brittany coast in western France, an area famous for its excellent sailing and abundant wildlife, the centuries-old walled city of St-Malo once sheltered corsairs and pirates. Today its beautiful harbor, historic ramparts, and vibrant cafés attract visitors from around the world. Because of its excellent facilities and proximity to such culturally rich sites as Mont Saint-Michel, the Channel Islands, and numerous towns and ports steeped in history, it's the ideal location for a program that includes both yachting and cultural exploration. Oh, and there are no mosquitoes or ticks in our sailing area!
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“I regularly hear from teachers that it’s important that children have the chance to try things out, to get a taste of the world around them, to see and do things that they wouldn’t normally do, or go to places they wouldn’t normally go. Experience is a great teacher and can equip children with valuable skills that prepare for any challenges life may throw at them. What’s on the inside—someone’s character, drive, resilience, and the ability to stick to a goal—is just as important as their academic achievements.””
