An all-female sailboat crew, sail a boat along the waterfront

Ladybug Race, Workshops, and Dinner

Take a day to learn about sailing and cruising, and to participate in a sailboat race.

Sunday, April 28, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

St. Augustine Sailing, and their program "Women on the Water" present the inaugural Ladybug Regatta, workshops, and awards dinner, on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with seminars and workshops. The Ladybug Regatta starts at 1:00 p.m., and the awards dinner will start at 6:00 p.m.

The Ladybug Regatta is committed to the concept that sailing and racing excellence is not limited by gender and all events are open to anyone who wants to participate. Those not crewing on a sailboat may watch the race from a VIP spectator area.

A Partial Schedule of Events

9:00 a.m. — Seminars and workshops start, including

  • Behan Gifford (via Zoom) cruiser, author, and instructor — Becoming a Cruiser
  • Deborah Marlor, Your Sailing Life Coach — Leaving the Dock
  • Ceal Potts, Set Sail Marine Survey
  • Melanie Neal, Sunshine Cruising Yacht
  • Jourdan McKenzie, McKenzie Marine
  • Kim Walther, ASA Instructor of the Year
  • Marianne Davis on creating a sailboat medical kit
  • Rose Ann Points, St. Augustine Sailing, All Points Yacht Sales, and Sailtime Northeast Florida

You can register in advance for any of three free demonstrations:

  • 9:00 a.m - Line Handling
  • 3:30 p.m. - Cooking Demo
  • 4:00 p.m. - Winch Maintenence

There are also classes and workshops about everything from yoga on board, to becoming a cruiser, to dinghy and outboard handling. Each class has a fee. To learn more about them and to register, go here.

The Ladybug Race starting sequence will begin at 12:55 p.m. and both performance and cruising class boats will be racing. Go here to learn more, register to race, and reserve a space at the VIP spectator area.

Other events include a silent auction, a mini boat show with new and used vessels, and an introductory sailing course at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

The day's last event will be an awards dinner and seafood boil starting at 6:00 p.m. More information and tickets can be found here.

Admission: $15.00 for seminars, $25.00 for each workshop, $45.00 to register a boat for the regatta, $25.00 to watch the regatta and enjoy refreshments from a VIP location, $89.00 for the seafood boil dinner by Outer Banks Boil Company of St. Augustine.

When: Sunday, April 28, 2024; the events take place from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and the dinner starts at 6:00 p.m.

Where: At St. Augustine Sailing, Camachee Cove Yacht Yard, 3076 Harbor Drive, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Proceeds raised by the Ladybug Regatta will support expanding the Women on the Water Program. This program works to make sailing available to all women by providing educational workshops and water skills training.

Have a Question?

Editor's Note: We encourage you to verify event times and details with the organizers, as they may change.