THOUSANDS of islanders took to Mersea beach to wish good luck to two Olympians.
Sailors Saskia Clark and Hannah Stodel were given an enthusiastic send-off ahead of the London 2012 Games.
Beach huts were decked out with the Olympic rings, bunting and home-made banners.
Hundreds of boats took to the water as a BBC television crew circled above in a helicopter.
Children came in fancy dress as Olympic stars of ancient Greece in togas and sandals.
Liz Harrison, organiser, said: “It was amazing. We had 3,000 people on the beach at any one time.
“It is not often we have something to celebrate, like two Mersea Olympians.
“To see this level of support for them is brilliant.”
West Mersea Yacht Club member Saskia, 32, will compete in the women’s 470 class at the Olympics sailing regatta in Weymouth.
Hannah, 26, will compete in the sonar class at the Paralympics in September.
They did not attend the send-off because they are training.
Instead, they sent a sail from their boats, which was signed with good luck messages by people from all across Mersea.
Their parents acted as beach hut judges and awarded the best dressed to Stuart and Sharon Watson, and their neighbours, for their Olympic themed decorations.
Saskia’s sister, Barbara Daffron, said: “Saskia would have been blown away to see it.
“I was blown away.
“What a fabulous place Mersea is. They certainly know how to look after their own.”
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