Broadreach’s founder, Carlton Goldthwaite, designed Broadreach's programs after years of experience directing experiential education programs for teenagers. The cornerstone of the Broadreach Caribbean course design is small groups of just 10–12 participants. Our boats sail independently of each other rather than in a flotilla, giving us a distinct advantage in many areas including safety, learning more skills, social interaction and the quality of the adventure experience.
Course Design
Broadreach is not designed like a summer camp or teen tour with 50 or more students traveling together. Our small group creates opportunities for true leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork and the flexibility for our staff and students to work together to set daily goals. No two days or even two trips are the same. We don’t have rigid schedules and we don’t rotate dozens of teens through pre-set timetables and activity rotations. Broadreach trips are about hands-on discovery, adventure, skill building and working as a team to achieve an extraordinary experience. We do more, learn more and have more fun!
Exploring Independently
Our yachts sail independently, in close proximity to our support boat and Course Director. That doesn’t mean you don’t see other Broadreach boats, because you often will. There are opportunities to challenge other yachts to a sailing race, a friendly game of volleyball or a limbo contest at a reggae beach party. But when you explore a village or dive a pristine wreck, it’s done just with your group of 10 to 12 like-minded adventurers. Hiking through a rainforest or discovering a hidden beach with 10 friends is a very different experience than going in a group of 70. Our course design preserves the sense of adventure that is lost in a larger group.
Age Appropriate Trips
Clearly 13/14 year olds and 17/18 year olds have different needs, concerns and ways of doing things. We stagger our departure dates with different ages leaving on different days to make our trips age-appropriate. 13 year olds may bump into 18 year olds, but they are not “hanging out” together. Each boat develops their own group dynamic, goals, abilities and pace.
Yacht
Advantage
On our live-aboard diving and sailing trips, we exclusively use 46-foot catamaran yachts. With 40% more living space and twice the deck space, these vessels offer significant advantages over 50-foot sloops in terms of group living, seasick prevention and dive training, while providing a more stable platform for our activities. On our Arc of the Caribbean program we use 50+ foot sloops, which are better suited for advanced sail training and racing.
Safety
Broadreach is proud of our excellent safety record, and we believe our course design gives us a significant advantage in achieving our high goals and standards with respect to safety. Our leaders have the experience and training to lead their trips independently, and at least one leader on each yacht has a minimum of 80 hours of wilderness emergency first responder medical training (WFR or Wilderness EMT). The staff on each Broadreach boat has the resources to handle situations that may arise and do not have to rely on equipment, expertise or staff somewhere else in the fleet. More importantly, their knowledge and training allows them to be more proactive in their approach to risk management.
We believe having a flotilla of yachts with 70+ teens in one anchorage increases the potential for problems when doing activities such as diving, waterskiing, small boat handling and swimming due to increased small boat traffic and the potential for inadequate supervision of students. Our yachts depart a day apart from each other based on age groups, alleviating the traffic at any one anchorage. Our leaders look out for their group of 10–12 teens exclusively, rather than having the responsibility for students and safety passed around from staff member to staff member. Our leaders know their group well and can create age appropriate activities and challenges.
Accreditation & Experience
Broadreach is a fully accredited PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) Five Star Gold Palm facility offering the most comprehensive dive training programs available to teenagers, from Open Water Diver through OWSI Instructor. No company has more experience teaching scuba diving to teenagers. Broadreach was recently recognized by PADI for having the highest percentage of continuing diver education of any PADI facility worldwide. Each summer Broadreachers complete over 8,000 dives and sail countless miles while earning thousands of diving and sailing certifications.
Great Friends/Group Dynamics
Living in a small group allows your group to truly bond, forming real friendships that will last long after the trip is over! There isn’t the problem of cliques which form in larger groups. Your crew quickly comes together, learning how to effectively work as a team and cohesive group. You don’t have to worry about getting lost in the crowd, as your group and your trip leaders spend down time together rather than heading off in different directions. We frequently see other Broadreach yachts and we’ll meet up with other groups, but your real focus will be on your adventure and your crew. Broadreachers frequently tell us how much they love the small group atmosphere.
Leadership/Teamwork
Leadership, teamwork and personal growth are key objectives on every Broadreach adventure. Without a rigid, pre-set plan, the group must work together to set the goals and pace of the voyage. Rotating through various team, seamanship and leadership roles aboard, Broadreachers are presented with countless opportunities to develop and learn.
Our Knowledgeable Staff
The minimum qualification level for the Course Lead Instructor (CLI) on each yacht is either PADI Open Water Dive Instructor or USCG Captain or equivalent experience. At least one staff member on each yacht has an EMT or Wilderness First Responder certification and all have completed the extensive and comprehensive Broadreach Staff Training Course both in the US and in St. Martin. Our carefully selected staff members are fun, energetic, work well with teens and are highly qualified. Many return year after year and several were once Broadreach participants. The average age is 26.
Personal Instruction
Broadreachers learn new skills at their own pace, not at the pace of a large group. Your diving and sailing instructors really know you well because they are your trip leaders full-time. This adds to safety and allows them to give you more personalized instruction.
Our Approach to Diving
Whether you are a little apprehensive about learning to dive or eager to pursue your diving education, you learn at your own pace. Broadreach’s yachts are fully outfitted with all the gear we need to maximize dive training opportunities. Broadreachers are issued their own scuba gear and each yacht has tanks, an air compressor and a dive-ski boat. Students are more comfortable with equipment that fits correctly every time. We don’t spend time assigning gear and waiting around for our scheduled turn to dive, so we have more time for skill development and having fun. We have the flexibility to do more diving and earn more certifications. Early morning dive anyone? Night dive after dinner? Let’s go!
The Leeward & Grenadines Islands
No other group of Caribbean Islands compares. These islands offer a unique blend of protected sailing grounds, world-class diving, lush rainforests and Dutch, British and French cultural diversity. The volcanic origins of these beautiful islands provide incredible hiking opportunities and the widest diversity of dive sites in the Caribbean. Gentle summer trade winds create ideal sailing conditions for both our short island hops and an occasional longer sailing adventure.
PFD’s (Personal Flotation Devices)
Broadreach requires participants to wear PFD’s while in any vessel in motion, whether it’s a sailing vessel, motorized dinghy or ski boat. Doing so could save a life in the event of an accident or emergency. These extra precautions are just part of our comprehensive approach to safety and risk management.
