Broadreach is the leader in Caribbean scuba and sailing programs for teenagers. When choosing a summer program for your child, we encourage you to carefully consider the qualities that set Broadreach apart.
Course Design
The cornerstone of our unique course design is the fact that we limit our trip group size to just 10–12 participants per trip, a critical factor that allows us to maximize opportunities for growth, learning, safety and fun. Unlike summer camps and teen tours with 70 or more students traveling together, our small groups create opportunities for true leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork and the flexibility for our staff and students to work together to set daily goals. Although we follow a detailed itinerary, 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.
How We Explore
Although other Caribbean teen programs may claim to have small groups, Broadreach is the only company that offers teens an authentic small group experience without the backdrop of a large flotilla of boats. In close proximity to our support boat and Course Director, our boats sail independently of each other. 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, as is the case on flotilla programs. Each boat develops their own group dynamic, goals, abilities and pace.
Yacht
Advantage
On our live-aboard diving and sailing trips, we exclusively use large catamaran yachts. With 40% more living space and twice the deck space, these vessels offer significant advantages over 50-foot sloops and smaller catamarans used by other camps in terms of group living, seasick prevention and dive training, while providing a stable platform for our activities.
Safety
Broadreach is proud of our excellent safety record, and our course design gives us advantages in achieving our goals and standards with respect to safety. Each session is supported by support boats and a Senior Course Director. Our leaders have the 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 yacht has the resources and communication tools to handle most situations that may arise without necessarily having to rely on equipment, expertise or staff somewhere else in the fleet. Further, their knowledge and training allows them to be more proactive in their approach to risk management.
Risk management and safety issues are some of the many reasons we have steered clear of the flotilla concept. Having a flotilla of yachts with 70+ teens in one anchorage increases the risk of activities such as diving, waterskiing, small boat handling and swimming due to increased small boat traffic and the potential for inadequate student supervision. 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.
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. We believe 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 thousands of 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 Broadreach Staff Training Course both in the US and in St. Martin. Our carefully selected staff members are fun, energetic, work well with teens. Many return year after year and several were once Broadreach participants. The average age of our Caribbean staff is 25.
Personal Instruction
Broadreachers can 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, which 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 diving with equipment that is theirs for the entire trip. 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 approach to risk management and safety.
