The West Mersea Yacht Club founded in 1899, is renowned for its racing Programme which includes EAORA off-shore races to various Euopean ports. The local racing includes well established cup races that are open to visitors as well as joining forces with the Dabchicks Sailing Club to run the very popular Mersea Week Regatta. That week includes the the very individual "Round the Island" race where dinghies have to be lifted out of the water and carried over the Strood.