Across most Caribbean islands, cricket is the national sport, with athletics becoming more prominent in recent years. Uniquely Anguilla’s national sport is boat racing, easily surpassing cricket as the most popular pastime. 

The popularity of the sport is said to have evolved from when Anguillans had to find work on other islands and would race each other home. 

The boat racing season runs from May to August, climaxing during the Anguilla Summer Festival. The big event on August Thursday is the Meads Bay Boat Race. 

The festival and carnival draw to a close on the Sunday after August Thursday, fittingly with another boat race, when the Champion of Champions boat race final is held.