There is a lot of academic research out there extolling the character development benefits of sailing. And in fact several parents have ranked personal development improvement above sailing instruction when assessing their teens’ QBE outcomes.
It turns out (as you can probably imagine) there’s a Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. In 2017, two researchers published an article there about the developmental upside of sailing. Here’s an excerpt of their extract:
“Sail training voyages have been shown to enhance self-constructs and inter-personal and intra-personal skills. It is suggested through this case-study approach with twelve 14 year-old crew participants that such an experience contributes towards well-being and character development in emerging adulthood. […] Helming (or steering the vessel) was ranked as the most significant activity by participants in both time periods, although participants had questioned their ability to do this before the voyage. Helming is suggested to activate cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains in an authentic adventure education experience that contributes to hedonic well-being and may provide a course towards eudaimonia.”
Eric Fletcher & Heather Prince (2017) Steering a course towards eudaimonia: the effects of sail training on well-being and character, Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17:3, 179-190, DOI: 10.1080/14729679.2017.1294490
So, what does “hedonic” mean? And what is “eudaimonia? Hedonic is academese for “fun,” “pleasurable.” “Eudaimonia” is a Greek word connoting “a sense of thriving,” “a flourishing life, grounded in purpose.” So if you live a satisfying, meaningful life, you can be said to be “Eudaimonic!”
There it is. Experts (at least a number of them) agree: sailing expeditions = a happier, more centered life. Apply NOW for a QBE maritime adventure!
(*Inclusion of the above excerpt in no way is meant to imply an endorsement of QBE by either of the authors.)