Experience Tidal Sailing in Brittany: Quiberon & La Trinité-sur-Mer.
If this event interests you, please contact us in advance. To confirm the event, I need a solid expression of interest from at least two people, and I need to wait until the boat prices for 2027 have been released by the charter companies in the area. Feel free to contact us if you are interested or have any questions.
Ready to step out of non-tidal waters and tackle real tidal navigation? Join us for an immersive 7-day tidal coaching expedition along the coast of South Brittany.
- Dates: June 26 – July 3, 2027
- Location: South Brittany (Base: Quiberon / La Trinité-sur-Mer area)
- Format: Small-group hands-on coaching (Max 4 crew)
- Minimum Participants: 2
What You’ll Master:
- Tidal calculations, rule-of-twelfths, and secondary port computations.
- Navigating narrow channels, river entrances, and strong tidal streams.
- Passage planning dictated by wind and tide gates.
- Active passage-making and pilotage on Atlantic coastal waters.
Logistics: Fly into Nantes or Rennes, or take the TGV train directly from Switzerland to Auray (with easy local transfers to the marina). Full logistical details provided upon booking.
Prerequisite: Ideal for anyone with basic experience and a desire to gain experience in tidal waters. For anyone aspiring to do any of the RYA Yachtmaster Exams, tidal experience is essential.
A Different Way to Learn the Sea
Most commercial sailing schools offer two extremes: a passive luxury holiday or a high-stress, crowded “Meilentörn” grind. We don’t believe in either.
Real competence comes from quiet, systematic seamanship in an uncrowded environment. We limit our trips to just 3 or 4 guest cabins. No hot-bunking, no cramming, and absolutely no shouting. The week adapts entirely to your pace.
Our Coaching Philosophy: Independence, Not Anxiety
Coaching is led by Dave, a former RYA School Chief Instructor with an honours degree in Sports Science, who has been teaching wind sports since 1992. Our philosophy is the result of over 35 years spent instructing and coaching a wide range of wind sports.
Dave cut his teeth teaching in single-handed dinghies—boats that capsize the moment you make a mistake. When your student is entirely alone on the water, you have to teach them true, calm independence from day one.
He brings that exact psychology to our 41-foot yacht “All Winds”. It’s why on our casual Lake Zug evening sails, we regularly have completely nervous beginners comfortably taking the boat off the dock on their very first trip.
On this trip, mistakes are just data, never failures. We accept that no one is perfect and use this as our basis for improving.
What is a “Complete Sailor”?
We don’t just drill docking out of fear. We focus on the entire ecosystem of intelligent coastal cruising:
- Crew Psychology: How to brief and manage a crew so everyone remains calm, safe, and stress-free.
- Coastal Pilotage: Navigating island-to-island, reading local Adriatic weather, and planning smart daily itineraries.
- Sailing Competence: Developing an intuitive feel for the helm, balanced boat tracking, and precise sail trim.
- Proactive Seamanship: Making smart decisions early — so situations never become dramatic.
Cabin Comfort & Fairness
We believe comfort on a week-long trip is non-negotiable. We will never put you into a cabin with a stranger.
- Solo Travellers: You get your own private cabin sanctuary to unwind and recharge.
- Friends or Partners: If you wish to share a cabin with a friend or partner, we offer a lower-cost option for the second person.
No matter which option you choose, there is no hierarchy on board. Everyone gets the exact same high-level coaching, equal time at the helm, and premium treatment
No shouting, no crowded cabins—just a great experience on the water.
Who This Is For (And Who It Isn’t)
Because of our low-density crew layout, this week seamlessly scales to meet you exactly where you are.
The Spectrum: This week is best suited to those who have some basic experience and would like to experience tidal waters without pressure, a rusty sailor looking to regain confidence, or a B-Schein, Day or Coastal Skipper, SKS or any other certificate holder wanting to practice real-cruising in tidal waters—you fit right in. We adapt the pacing to the individuals on board.
The “All Winds” Toolbox Philosophy
Most commercial sailing schools teach a rigid protocol. They give you a single “hammer” and tell you to use it on everything, even if you are looking at a screw.
We don’t do that. Our coaching is built on a Toolbox Concept:
- Every skill is a tool: No technique is inherently right or wrong. Instead, we look at the pros and cons of different techniques and see if they are appropriate or not for a given situation.
- Never discard a method: A technique that isn’t right for today’s calm bay might be the exact tool that saves the day when you are shorthanded or caught in heavy weather down the road.
- Situational awareness: Instead of forcing you to memorise a textbook script, we give you the critical thinking skills to evaluate the conditions, look at your options, and confidently pick the right tool for the job.
- Beyond the Week: We will help you develop these tools and give you clear indications of where and how to continue learning. But the real mastery happens after our week together—in how you apply, adapt, and refine those tools on your own future passages.
Life Onboard: Boat Life 101
Sailing is an incredible adventure, but a yacht is not a hotel. If you are new to sailing, here are a few realities of boat life to keep in mind:
- We Are a Team: This is a hands-on boat. There is no stewardess or hired crew to clean up after you. Everyone pitches in with the cooking, washing up, and keeping the boat tidy. It’s a core part of the true sailing experience and builds great camaraderie.
- Water & Power are Finite: When we are moored in a marina, you’ll have access to full shore showers and 220v power (like the wall plugs at home). But when we are out at anchor, we rely on the water and electricity we carry with us. That means quick “navy showers” onboard, only USB charging for phones, and being mindful of leaving lights on.
- The Marine Toilet (Head): Marine plumbing is a delicate ecosystem. The golden rule of sailing applies: Nothing goes into the toilet unless you have eaten or drunk it first. All toilet paper and wipes go into a bin, not the bowl. We will teach you exactly how to use it safely!
- Space is Premium: Soft duffel bags only, please! Hard suitcases cannot be stowed on a yacht. We live in close quarters, so bringing an easy-going attitude is the most important thing you can pack.
Prerequisites
Basic sailing knowledge, a sense of adventure, a desire to be powered by the wind, and a willingness to learn.
Crew Size & Cabin Privacy
The Cabin Guarantee: There are 3 dedicated guest cabins on board. Your booking secures a private double cabin entirely for yourself. We will never match you with a stranger.
Crew Size (Typically 3, Max 5): Because we limit the trip by the number of cabins, if everyone travels solo, there are only 3 guests on board. The crew size only increases if a guest explicitly chooses to bring a partner or friend to share their private cabin.
The Contrast: While standard sailing schools routinely cram 6 to 8 people into a boat this size to maximise profit, we cap this trip at a maximum of 3 booked cabins to ensure everyone has actual space, privacy, and maximum time at the helm.
Cost
CHF 1,950 – Private Cabin (TBC)
CHF 1250 per person – Shared Cabin (by request) (TBC)
Includes:
- 7 nights’ accommodation on the yacht
- Charter and marina fees, cleaning, diesel, water, tourist taxes
- Outboard motor, tender
- Onboard food (breakfast, lunch, some dinners)
- Personalised sailing coaching
- Signature on miles logged
Excludes:
- Travel to/from Britanny
- Meals taken ashore
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal travel and cancellation insurance
Food & Provisioning
Provisioning is prepared before your arrival. If you have preferences or allergies, please inform us well in advance.
Dietary Accommodations: We are very happy to fully accommodate vegetarian dietary preferences on board. However, due to the practical limitations of boat provisioning, compact galley space, and what is realistically available in local Croatian island markets, we unfortunately cannot accommodate strict vegan diets or highly complex dietary restrictions. If you have specific food allergies, just let us know during our short call so we can ensure we can keep you safe and well-fed.
Insurance & Responsibility
Participants are responsible for their own travel and cancellation insurance.
By signing up, you agree to act responsibly and understand that participation is at your own risk.
Full terms and conditions are available on our website.
Why Join All Winds Adventures?
We aren’t a massive sailing school churning out certificates, and this isn’t a high-stress boot camp. We are here to bridge the gap between having a license and actually having the confidence to enjoy your holiday.
Language: The week is run in English. However, if you are a native German speaker and worried about missing technical nuances, don’t be. I speak German and can easily translate or re-explain complex aerodynamic or structural concepts on the fly to ensure total clarity.
Insurance is the responsibility of the participant; by RSVPing “yes”, you agree to act responsibly at all times on this event and to not hold Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures or any person involved responsible for any injury or loss which may occur in relation to the event.
Disclaimer:
All participants take part in events or activities facilitated by Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures entirely at their own risk. Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures does not accept liability for damage to property, death or personal injury that may occur whilst taking part in activities or events organised by Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures. It is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is maintained and in safe working order. We reserve the right to stop you from participating with us if your equipment is badly maintained or not in safe working order. Whilst we endeavour to make sure that the information on this website pertaining to routes and trails is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.
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