Turks & Caicos Junior Swimmers dominate at Race for the Conch 2022

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, June 30, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos may have found its sports niche as the Islands junior swimmers put on a world class showing at the “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim tournament last weekend. Despite the races being populated mainly by adults, all but one of them saw a TCI youngster placing in the top three.

Swimmers from the US, Canada, the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas entered the June 25 competition, which is now in its 12^th year.  Four races in all: a 2.4 mile, a 1 mile, a half mile, and a 100m kiddie race and while only 14  young TCI swimmers were participating in the races the country snagged 10 of the 18 podium spots not counting the 100m kiddie race.

“[There were] actually more adults in those races than youngsters. Which makes the achievement of the youngsters all the more remarkable,” said Ben Stubenberg, race organizer.

The one mile swim was topped by TCI Aquatics (TCIASC) swimmer, Lenin Hamilton Jr. in 22:10.  Hot on his heels were Tajhari Williams, also from Aquatics in second place, clocking only four seconds off the winning time; Luke Haywood of Provo Aquatics Club (PAC) was third; Sean Walters, also PAC, came in fifth; CARIFTA medalist, Jayden Davis (PAC) was sixth, and Ethan Gardiner (PAC) in got seventh place.

It bears repeating in a race with 22 participants the Turks and Caicos’ young men snatched five of the top ten spots.

On the ladies’ side, Sophie Taylor of Provo Aquatics bagged the No. 2 spot followed by her team mate, Angelina Lindenhahn in third and Thais Burgess (PAC) in fourth, placing the TCI in three of the top five spots.

Not only did they show out in the one mile, but the students swept the half-mile as well!

Again, Lenin Hamilton in fine form pulled off a double win, placing first in 12:14 seconds followed for TCIASC.  He was followed by by Ethan Gardiner in second.

On the girl’s side, primary schooler Lenika Hamilton (TCIASC) powered through to the No. 2 spot followed by Thaiss Burgess (PAC) in 3rd with Danielle Burgess (PAC) placing fifth overall.

If that wasn’t enough, nicknamed “iron man” after competing in back to back races at Saturday’s open sea swimming competition, Tajhari Williams took on the longest race, the 2.4 mile, and placed 2nd. Impressively, he completed the job in 51:24 for his club, TCI Aquatics.

It was exciting to note, all but one of the 14 TCI swimmers placed within the top 10 finishers in every race, still Salt Rakers Aquatic Club  was proud of the performance 10-year old Rishith Gururaga who placed 14th in the one mile event.

Additionally, Lenin, Ethan, Tajhari, Luke, Lenika, Thaiss, Sophie, and Angelina all made it to the medal podium placing in the top three in their respective races.

Ben, who cofounded the event with Chloe Zimmerman, is a pioneering figure in local swimming, and both are ecstatic.

“Another thing was the terrific placement of local island kids, we had some top finishers in all of the races. A lot of them are young teens and managed to come in first in all of the races, male and female. We are very, very proud of them!” he explained.

There were at least 12 under 10-year-olds in the kiddie 100 m race and even more astonishing at least three 10-year-olds in the mile and half a mile swims and several 11 and 12-year-olds as well.  All in Stubenberg’s estimation, performing very well in the international competition staged on Grace Bay Beach, at Ricky’s Flamingo Café.

“It’s just so great to see more Turks and Caicos Islanders on the beach and participating in the swim.  We’re so happy to be putting it on to increase and enhance swim on the island,” Stubenberg said.

The 14 Turks and Caicos competitors in the open races in alphabetical order are: Danielle Burgess, Thaiss Burgess, Jayden Davis, Alyssa Gardiner, Danielle Gardiner Ethan Gardiner, Rishith Gururaga, Lenika Hamilton, Lenin Hamilton, Luke Haywood, Angelina Lindenhahn, Sophie Taylor, Sean Walters, and Taijari Williams.

The incredible performance of these young athletes proves the Government’s commitment of an Olympic standard pool is promise whose time has come.