Ellisons Solicitors is sponsoring West Mersea Yacht Club’s annual ‘Round the Island’ Race,for the fourth year running.

This year it is the 40th anniversary of the WMYC annual Round The Island Race. The event, which is open to recognised dinghy classes, small multihulls or Fishermans Open Boats, has enjoyed huge popularity over the years and is acknowledged as a key community event for Mersea Island. To celebrate this milestone anniversary the club is adding a new ‘Port and Starboard Challenge Trophy’ to the list of prizes which is intended to test the most experienced sailors.

Well over a hundred dinghies and small boats of all shapes and sizes are expected to circumnavigate the Island in this West Mersea Yacht Club organised race, which takes place this year on Wednesday the 11th August, mid-way through Mersea Week.

Entries close on Wednesday 4th August, after which time competitors will be watching the weather in order to plan their strategies which importantly includes the option to choose which way around the island to sail. Crews decide at the last moment whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise around the Island, crossing the Strood with the help of the friends and family. This year High Tide at the Strood is 13.57.

Ellisons partner Guy Longhurst explains why Ellisons is more than happy to continue with its support of this annual event:

“Many of our Firm, including myself, live on the island, as do a number of our clients. The island community is important to us and how better to demonstrate our commitment than to continue with the sponsorship of this unique event. It is a wonderful family occasion and an opportunity to celebrate how very privileged we are to live and work in this very beautiful coastal location.”

More than 100 helpers are needed to make the Race possible, both on the water providing safety and support cover, and ashore running the racing and assisting at the Strood to help get the boats get across the roadway. The organisers appreciate the patience of residents and visitors on this one day when you cannot escape acknowledging that Mersea is indeed an island.