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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

Bahamas News

Bahamian Man Extradited to Florida on Cocaine Trafficking Charges

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USA, April 23, 2026 – A Bahamian man has been extradited to the United States to face serious drug charges stemming from alleged offences committed several years ago.

Lernis Cornish Jr. was handed over to U.S. authorities on April 17, 2026, following extradition proceedings in The Bahamas. The case was heard before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley, who ordered that Cornish be surrendered to American officials. Cornish did not challenge the order.

He has since been transferred to Florida, where he is expected to face trial in connection with alleged drug-related activity dating back23 to 2020.

According to reports, Cornish is accused of possession of cocaine with intent to supply and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to supply. Related U.S. law enforcement notices also indicate that the matter is being pursued in Collier County, Florida, where authorities have listed charges including trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, involving quantities of 400 grams or more.

The case now falls under the jurisdiction of the Florida court system, where prosecutors are expected to advance the matter through pre-trial proceedings ahead of any potential trial.

Extradition from The Bahamas to the United States is governed by bilateral treaty arrangements, allowing individuals accused of serious offences to be transferred to face justice in the requesting country once a Bahamian court is satisfied that legal requirements have been met.

Cornish’s extradition marks the continuation of a multi-year case, moving it from preliminary proceedings in The Bahamas into the U.S. judicial system, where the allegations will now be tested in court.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Experience Turks and Caicos Launches Strategic Travel Advisor Education Program in Partnership with Travelview International

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The Initiative Expands Marketing Efforts with a Video Driven Campaign Reaching 80,000 Travel Advisors Across the U.S. and Canada

 

 PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to announce its partnership with Houston-based Travelview International to launch a video-driven travel advisor marketing and education program across the United States and Canada – markets that collectively represent about 90 percent of the destination’s visitor arrivals.

Through this initiative, Experience Turks and Caicos will leverage Travelview International’s established platform to engage approximately 80,000 travel advisors across North America, including members of leading luxury consortia, through a series of highly targeted video campaigns on the Turks and Caicos Islands, including its lesser-known sister islands.

The program distributes twice-monthly emails featuring short informational videos that function as a “video FAM trip,” helping advisors quickly build destination knowledge and stay current on the islands.

The campaign underscores Experience Turks and Caicos’ ongoing commitment to deepening its engagement with the travel advisor community, as luxury travelers increasingly turn to these trusted professionals to curate and secure highly personalized, bespoke experiences.

“Our partnership with Travelview International reflects the critical role that travel advisors play in shaping high-value travel decisions and driving meaningful demand for destinations like Turks and Caicos,” said Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos.

“Advisors are indispensable partners in how luxury travel is planned and experienced today, and by investing in direct, consistent engagement, we are ensuring they are equipped with the insights and inspiration needed to confidently position our islands at the forefront of their recommendations.”

The content features concise, expertly narrated informational videos crafted for efficient learning and lasting recall. These videos highlight the destination’s defining attributes, including its geography, heritage, and cultural character; a curated overview of its resorts, villas, and accommodations; and distinctive experiences and excursions that set the Turks and Caicos Islands apart within the Caribbean luxury landscape – all while visually showcasing the natural beauty that the destination is renowned for.

As a respected publisher within the travel industry, Travelview International is recognised for delivering credible, non-advertorial content that advisors rely on to make informed recommendations for their clients. The platform seamlessly integrates editorial programming produced by Travelview with video contributions from private sector partners on specific resorts, villas, experiences, and services with direct pathways to additional information and booking opportunities.

To view the full collection of the Turks and Caicos Islands videos, please visit: https://tci.travelvideo.com/

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South Caicos pays Triple for basic Groceries; Bag of Rice hits $26 says TCIG Report

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Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – Grocery prices across the Turks and Caicos Islands remain high, making shopping expensive for most consumers, but the latest government data shows that residents of South Caicos are facing even steeper challenges, with some essential items costing double—and in some cases nearly triple—the prices seen in Providenciales.

The findings come from the Department of Trade, Industry and Fair Competition (DTIFC) in its Breadbasket Price Report for April 2026, which tracks the cost of staple goods across major retail outlets throughout the country. The report, based on data collected between April 7 and 12, is intended to provide transparency and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions, with the Department noting that it continues to monitor prices to promote fair competition in the marketplace.

However, a closer look at the data reveals significant disparities between islands, particularly for residents in South Caicos.

Among the most striking examples is rice, a staple item, where a 5-pound bag that sells in Providenciales for as low as around six to eight dollars is listed at as high as twenty-six dollars in South Caicos.  Eggs also show a sharp divide, with some of the lowest prices in Providenciales hovering near two to five dollars, compared to prices reaching as high as twelve dollars in South Caicos.

The pattern continues across other essential items. Chicken, one of the most commonly consumed proteins, shows notable variation, with lower-end prices in Providenciales around seven dollars, while in South Caicos the same category of product can reach as high as eighteen dollars. Similar gaps are observed in cooking oil, flour and other everyday grocery items that form the core of household consumption.

While the Department’s report highlights both the highest and lowest prices for each item—marked in red and green respectively—the overall trend points to consistently higher costs outside of Providenciales, where a larger number of retailers and increased competition appear to keep prices comparatively lower.

In contrast, smaller markets such as South Caicos, with fewer retail outlets and greater reliance on imported goods routed through Providenciales, continue to experience higher prices across much of the breadbasket.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Fair Competition maintains that the monthly report is designed to improve transparency and allow consumers to compare prices, but the April findings also underscore a broader issue—access to affordable food remains uneven across the islands.

For residents in South Caicos, the data suggests that the cost of living continues to be significantly higher for basic goods, reinforcing long-standing concerns about price disparities and the challenges faced by consumers in smaller island communities.

The Department has encouraged the public to review the full Breadbasket Price Report and stay informed as it continues its monitoring efforts.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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