fp Turks and Caicos

A new international sports competition has been announced following the creation of the Turks & Caicos Open Water Swim Committee.

A one-mile swimming race along the shores of Grace Bay — the “Race for the Conch” — will be held in July.
The swim is scheduled to begin and end at the beach access between Club Med and Ocean Club at the Flamingo Cafe. According to organizers, the course will be a loop roughly parallel to the beach measuring one mile. The course will be marked by buoys standard for open water swims.

“Open water swim racing (in a body of water, not in a pool) is one of the fastest growing participatory sports in the world and is the newest Olympic event,” , the committee said in a press release. “The U.K. and U.S. host numerous popular open water swim races, while Grand Cayman, St. Croix, St. John, Bonaire, and Bermuda among other islands have over the past several years developed their own successful open water swim competitions.

“The calm, protected waters of Grace Bay provide an ideal location for hosting this kind of race. There is every reason to believe that the fast and forgiving conditions of Grace Bay can attract competitive racers who train to win as well as recreation swimmers who prefer the challenge and satisfaction of doing their personal best.”

Organizers are optimistic that the event will put the country among the list of top sports destinations in the region.
“A competitive open water sea swim would stimulate special interest in the Turks & Caicos as a sports destination for the growing numbers of enthusiastic and passionate swimmers (and their family and friends) from North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond.

“Indeed, the Swim Committee plans to invite Olympic and world class swimmers to join us. Just as important, an organized one mile swim race would tap existing local swimming talent and develop greater interest in competitive swimming among all residents. The aim is to be as inclusive as possible and create a spirit of community and shared experience that is fun, safe, and rewarding for participants and spectators alike.

“This open water swim also presents an opportunity to increase awareness of the fragility of the ocean and reefs around us. Indeed, the event will be conducted as an ‘eco-swim’ to highlight our collective responsibility to be good stewards of the sea.

Indeed, a ‘Green Globe’ ecological certification for the race is pending, and we expect it will be approved soon. At the same time, the swim will call attention to needs of those less fortunate in the Turks & Caicos as well as our neighbors in Haiti. The Swim Committee aims to raise funds for local charities that improve children’s nutrition and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.”

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) has also announced endorsement of the event.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands are known as a water-based destination with one of the longest barrier reefs in the world, and its world-class beach on Grace Bay. Therefore, it is only fitting that we would host a special event of this nature to showcase what mother nature has bestowed on us on Grace Bay Beach,” TCHTA Chief Executive Officer Caesar Campbell said.

Specific details of the event are available at their web site, www.ecoseaswim.com.