Get ready for an epic day of sailing with St. Augustine Sailing’s Ladybug Race.
The day will be action-packed, with boat shows, seminars, mini-sailing lessons and more. The inaugural Ladybug Race kicks off at 9 a.m. April 28 at the marina at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor, 3076 Harbor Drive in St. Augustine.
“We wanted this event to highlight the sailing community, with a special nod to the growing number of women entering and flourishing in the sport,” said Rose Ann Points, owner, captain and broker at St. Augustine Sailing. “The coveted Ladybug Trophy will go to the best all-female crew, but we’ll have awards in all types of categories. Boats will race in performance and cruiser classes with special viewing areas to see all the action.”
The Ladybug Race kicks off at 1 p.m., with both performance and cruising classes racing. The racecourse will take captains and crew out of the marina and north up the Tolomato River, where boats will deftly combat the wind, tide and each other.
For spectators, it will be a chance to see technical maneuvering, teamwork and skill. For the best views, there are two VIP spectator viewing areas available. “On The Water” tickets cost $79 per person, and “Dockside” seats are $39 per person; both include light refreshments.
Racers will be recognized at the awards dinner, hosted by Outer Banks Boil Company, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets to the dinner are $89 per person.
The day is a treasure trove of learning opportunities, as industry experts will offer seminars and hands-on experiences designed for everyone from experienced boaters to nautical dreamers. Topics include line handling, provisioning, engine maintenance, rigging, weather forecasting and more. There are also practical demonstrations like yoga on the deck, cooking and winch maintenance.
An on-site boat show will be the perfect place to check out some top-of-the-line sailing yachts. To purchase VIP viewing tickets or awards dinner tickets, or to reserve a workshop space, go to sta-sail.com and then Sailing Experiences, Ladybug Race Event and click on the Ladybug icon.
“When we purchased St. Augustine Sailing, we knew we wanted to be more than boats,” said Points. “We wanted to foster a really active, supportive and fun sailing community. Part of that is ensuring that sailing is accessible and fun for everyone. That’s why proceeds from the Ladybug Race will benefit the Women on the Water program, providing sailing skills, practical experience and confidence to women of all ages and sailing abilities.”
St. Augustine Sailing Enterprises is a luxury adventure experience that offers a variety of sailing excursions to fit any occasion and budget. There are public and private charters that can be customized to create unique experiences. St. Augustine Sailing also offers sailing lessons and membership in SailTime, a club allowing members to rent a boat at franchises nationwide. For more information, go to sta-sail.com.
