A sailing school, a sea school, a school of life

A sailing school

Every year, more than 15,000 trainees discover sailing with the Glénans or improve their sailing skills on cruising boats, catamarans, dinghies, day-boats and windsurf boards. From the beginner to the experienced sailor, and all the way to the training of instructors, everyone can find a course which is suited to them. The Glénans welcome junior trainees from the age of 13 (courses in French only), as well as adults, with no age limit. One may come alone, with a group, a family, a school, or even with a company.
A long experience Training at the Glénans is organised in four progressive levels (from 1 to 4 "sails"). Each level corresponds to an objective of autonomy. From level 3 onwards, trainees can attend specialized courses. Training to become instructor starts after level 4.
A wide range of boats designed for the purpose of training Boats at the Glénans are chosen and designed to make progress of trainees faster and easier : small sailing boats, stable and easy to handle and manoeuvre are used for cruise initiation, to become autonomous more quickly and discover the subtilities of helming. Larger boats of 37 to 45 ft., comfortable and fast, are devoted to ocean navigation.
Each year, new types of boats are added to the fleet, featuring up-to-date technical features.

Pristine settings and exceptional navigation zones
The Glénans chose unique settings for their sailing centres, with an attention to the beauty, the wildness and the remoteness. Most of them are protected and/or part of a conservation programme : as a result, our trainees often become aware of the importance of environmental protection.
A wide range of navigation zones – from the complex and eerie Paimpol coasts, to the Morbihan Gulf or the Glenan Archipelago in Brittany – make for various navigation experiences in challenging but perfectly safe conditions.
Each area has its distinctive characteristics and qualities - whether it is on the Atlantic waterfront, in the English Channel or in the Mediterranean Sea –, all of them ought to be discovered !

Safety first
Safety has always been a top priority at the Glénans. A specific safety procedure was established in 1986, and both instructors and trainees have to comply with it. A strong emphasis is put on risk monitoring and prevention at each stage of the learning process.With their excellent training, our instructors make sure safety is a constant preoccupation of each member of the crew. Navigation in squadrons allows quick mutual assistance if needed, and each sailing boat has a daily contact on cellular phone with the cruises' supervisor of the sailing centre. Navigation zones are carefully monitored thanks to a constant watch.

A sea school

One learns more than navigation skills at the Glénans ! Trainees can discover the beauty displayed by wonderful marine surroundings. They become familiar with the various moods of the sea, coastal and sky observation, wind direction, weather forecast, tidal streams, tides and swell. They can admire the flora on the islands and the dunes, the strands and the bird species that dwell on them. In short, they discover the magic of the sea.

A school of life

The Glénans have always considered that learning life in a community is as important as nautical training, be it at sea or on-land. Both trainees and instructors participate in the preparation of navigation programmes and in activities at the sailing centre. They share alternately daily tasks, thus following a participative organisation that has proven its efficiency and friendliness for more than half a century. At the Glénans, an emphasis is put on autonomy and responsibilitity, mutual help and sharing.
Volunteer help is at the heart of the association’s : numerous volunteers give both their time and their skills to help at various levels : boats and sites maintenance, board of directors, catering, logistics... Their everyday contribution is essential in maintaining the spirit of the association : a project that allows each new member to get involved, beyond their nautical training.