Caribbean News
Biggest Swim Team headed to CARIFTA in Barbados this Easter
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2022 – Turks and Caicos will be in the water when junior competitive swimming returns to the Caribbean. Even with the major COVID-19 interruptions, TeamTCI is aimed at making a splash at CARIFTA Swim 2022!
“This is our first opportunity to go back to CARIFTA since 2019…We do have lots of swimmers that are likely to make finals. All f our swimmers are worth looking out for. Most of our swimmers are likely to set personal bests. I think that it’s going to be a very exciting competition to watch.”
The meet is scheduled for Barbados this Easter and Dan Redmond, President of the Turks and Caicos Swimming Federation has complete confidence in his swimmers.
He names Rohan Shearer, the TCIs first CARIFTA swim medalist who did the job in 2019, earning a silver medal in the 50 metre backstroke. Also on that ‘ones to watch list’ is Tajari Williams who won a bronze medal in the 50 meter freestyle in 2021 at the CCCAN or Central America and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation; still said Redman, there are lots of stars in the bunch.
CARIFTA – whether on the track or in the pool – draws athletes from across the Caribbean region in what is often a springboard for world caliber careers in sports. Redmond spoke about the extreme level of difficulty expected at the games.
“The standard of competition in CARIFTA is extremely high, just making the final of an individual event is an achievement. Competitors from CARIFTA go on to represent their countries at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics and so it is a first class standard of competition.” Redmond said.
In terms of future prospects so I may be having our very own TCI swimmers in the Olympics one day, Redmond said.
“It is a long-term process. We have lots of young swimmers that are only going to get faster.”
He stresses the need for proper practicing facilities to augment their training.
“I hope that one day we can see a swimming pool built in the Turks and Caicos Islands which means that we can practice more often on our own island and not have to travel abroad.”
The government has promised an Olympic pool to the swimmers to be completed before the end of their term in office. To this Redmond says, “I hope that happens. It’s a big commitment but I really hope that happens not just for our competitive swimmers but for adults swimmers, for master swimmers, for keep-fitters, for everyone.”
It’s been a rocky road since 2002 when the TCI sent its first delegation to CARIFTA but the team has been regularly attending since 2016 and In the Five years since the TCI began attending the competitions regularly.
Redman says they have only gotten better and this year Team TCI has it biggest ever team.
“We’re sending ten swimmers this time, which is more swimmers than we’ve ever sent before. I hope we stick with the tradition of being better than the year before. It’s a very tough tradition to uphold but I hope we can do it.”
Those ten swimmers are: Sophie Taylor, Angeline Lindenhahn, Danielle Burgess, Thais Burgess, Rohan Shearer, Jayden Davis, Mateo Gardiner, Tajhari Williams, Sean Walters and Ethan Gardiner.
In terms of aid the President said, “We do need sponsorship, without our sponsors we wouldn’t be able to make this happen over the years we’ve managed through the assistance of local businesses that helped us out and this year we need the same kind of support.”
If you are fired up by the passion expressed by the Federations President, or just plain excited to partake in the journey of our swimmers, there is a way you can help.
You can contact them at info@tciswimmingfederation.com
The 2022 CARIFTA Games Swim Championship and Open Water Swimming is being staged in Barbados from April 6th to the 20th.
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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