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A Natural Racing Experience Thrills Senses, Protects the Marine Environment and Producers Winners

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, June 27, 2022 – Human beings have been enamored with the ocean since the beginning of time and the robust tourism product of the Turks and Caicos is proof of that,  but only a few of us venture away from the sand to swim long, lovely laps in the ocean.

“It just somehow makes everybody a little friendlier; everyone is a lot happier when they swim in the ocean.” A founder of the annual Race for the Coch Eco Sea Swim, Ben Stubenberg, confessed that after swimming in the open water many people don’t want to go back to a pool because the (sea) water is “so perfect.”

This view may have a little something to do with the huge turnout for the Eco-Sea Swim races held on Saturday June 25 (2022).

Stubenberg, a swim instructor and avid open sea swimmer himself opened up to Magnetic Media about what it feels like to drive your body through the pristine waters, unencumbered, pushing your own physical limits for the most exhilarating exercise experience.

“All of your senses are engaged and you feel a connection with nature that you don’t get from standing on land.” He said, “This is something that you feel because there’s really no limits; its as far as you can go, it’s quite unlike a pool.  This is salt water, you float better…it’s engaging with nature in a way that you can’t otherwise do when you’re swimming in a pool.”

In its 12th year, “Race for the Conch” Eco-Sea Swim is a registered non-profit in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The organizers explained that proceeds from sponsorships and race fees go to support The Provo Children’s Home, local learn-to-swim programs, the Reef Fund, and initiatives to support special needs children in the family islands.

The 2022 staging pulled in 135 swimmers in its biggest ever showing, 13 of whom were children from the Turks and Caicos. Adult, teen and even preteen swimmers came from the US, Canada, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos to participate in four races:  A 2.4 mile; a 1 mile; a half mile, and a 100m kiddie race.

The top-ranked adults for the 2.4-mile races were Joseph Shields for the men and Alicia Uhl for the women.

Lenin Hamilton Jr and Taylor Schiffern won the one mile for men and women respectively and  Lenin Hamilton Jr and Celia Wolf topped the half-mile.

Over the years, organizers have maintained that they wanted to have a more environmentally conscious race.

“We decided that as part of the race we wanted to have a commitment to a more ecologically friendly race that was more in line with our philosophy of trying to make the earth and the ocean a better place…we take that part of it very seriously. It’s not just something added on because it sounds ‘trendy,” said Stubenberg.

There are several ways the organizers set out to do this.

Only reef-friendly sunscreen is allowed on the beach and they provide ‘Stream to Sea’ sunscreen created by a local partner company called ‘Whole Health”. Race for the Conch Eco Sea Swim also serves its refreshments in biodegradable containers, often the rehydration drinks are coconut water coming straight from coconut trees, with no packaging needed.

Additionally, even the coveted conch trophies and medals are made by local artist Stanford Handfield crafted from actual conch shells from the TCI’s slice of the Atlantic Ocean.

Though the race is not yet totally eco-friendly, Stubenberg hopes Race will evolve to having a  zero carbon footprint very soon.

 

Photo credit:  Photo by Paradise Photography

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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