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2026 Ladybug Event & SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine

Mar 20 2026 | By: The PAWtographers

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Each spring the Seven Seas Cruising Association gathers sailors from across the cruising community for its Spring GAM. This year’s Ladybug Event at Camachee Cove Marina in St. Augustine combined sailing education, dockside workshops, and a regatta weekend that Randy and I were fortunate to photograph.

Sunrise over sailboats at Camachee Cove Marina during the 2026 Ladybug Event and SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine, Florida.

In the cruising world, a GAM is a gathering where sailors meet to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and build connections. The term traces back to maritime tradition and was famously referenced by Herman Melville in his novel Moby-Dick to describe ships meeting at sea to socialize and exchange news.

Learning and Skill Building on the Docks

Throughout the weekend, participants moved between classroom-style seminars and hands-on workshops designed to help sailors build practical cruising skills. Sessions covered a wide range of topics—from navigation and anchoring to sail trim, marine electrical systems, and offshore decision-making.

One of the strengths of the Spring GAM format is the flexibility it offers. Sailors can attend presentations, participate in dockside demonstrations, or simply spend time talking with other cruisers about equipment, routes, and lessons learned from time on the water.

These informal conversations are often where some of the most valuable knowledge is shared.

Marine weather forecaster Chris Parker speaking with an attendee at the 2026 Ladybug Event and SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine.
Marine presentation setup and equipment demonstration during sailing workshops at the SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine.
Joan Conover of the Seven Seas Cruising Association with her dog at the 2026 Ladybug Event and Spring GAM in St. Augustine.
Event registration desk welcoming sailors and attendees to the Ladybug Event and SSCA Spring GAM at Camachee Cove Marina.
Attendee photographing a sailing seminar during the SSCA Spring GAM educational sessions in St. Augustine.
Sailors attending a cruising seminar during the Ladybug Event and SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine.
Offshore racing veteran Lisa McDonald presenting during the Ladybug Event and SSCA Spring GAM sailing conference.
Sailing enthusiasts participating in classroom workshops at the SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine.
Speaker presenting cruising and sailing education seminar during the Ladybug Event at Camachee Cove Marina.
Marine instructor teaching navigation and cruising techniques during the SSCA Spring GAM workshops.
Hands-on sailing instruction aboard a yacht during the St. Augustine Sailing workshops at the Ladybug Event.
Participants learning onboard sailing skills during the Ladybug Event workshops hosted by St. Augustine Sailing.

Experienced Voices from the Sailing Community

The event also featured several well-known speakers from the sailing and marine industry. Offshore racing veteran Lisa McDonald shared insights drawn from her career competing at the highest levels of the sport, including her work with PredictWind and her experience in major offshore racing campaigns.

Marine meteorologist Chris Parker also presented on weather forecasting and routing strategies for cruisers traveling the U.S. East Coast, the Bahamas, and beyond—topics that are critical for anyone planning extended time on the water.

Boats, Racing, and Dockside Community

Beyond the workshops and seminars, the weekend included an in-water boat display and the Ladybug Regatta, where sailors took their skills onto the water in a friendly racing format. Watching the boats maneuver just outside the marina added energy to the event and offered participants a chance to put their knowledge into practice.

Between sessions, the docks at Camachee Cove became a place for connection. Sailors gathered to exchange stories, discuss cruising destinations, and meet others who share a passion for life under sail.

Sailboat racing during the Ladybug Regatta at the 2026 SSCA Spring GAM in St. Augustine.
Three yachts competing together during the Ladybug Regatta at the SSCA Spring GAM sailing event in St. Augustine.
Photographer Randy documenting the Ladybug Regatta from a dinghy during the 2026 SSCA Spring GAM sailing event.
Sailboat with crew on calm water under a clear blue sky.
Winning yacht sailing with the distinctive red Ladybug spinnaker during the Ladybug Regatta in St. Augustine.

Capturing the Story

For Randy and me, photographing the Ladybug Event and SSCA Spring GAM was about more than documenting boats and sails. Events like this highlight the collaborative spirit that defines the cruising community—people learning from one another, sharing experience, and supporting fellow sailors along the way.

St. Augustine has long been a gathering point for cruisers moving along the East Coast, and weekends like this continue that tradition. The Spring GAM brings together education, seamanship, and community in a way that reflects the best parts of the sailing lifestyle.

We were grateful to spend the weekend capturing the workshops, conversations, and regatta that made this year’s Ladybug Event such a memorable gathering on the water.

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