PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Final preparations are underway for 14th annual Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim set for Saturday morning June 29, 2024. TCI star
swimmer, Tajhari Williams, will be back to defend his back-to-back first place
finishes in the 2.4 and 1 mile events from last year. He will be contending with
several up-and-coming TCI swimmers also racing for a conch trophy to take
home along with many talented swimmers from abroad.
The beach in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe will once again be the venue for the
start and the finish. Swimmers will have a choice of three main distances: 2.4
mile, 1 mile, and 1/2 mile in the beautiful turquoise waters of Grace Bay. A 100
meter Children’s Swim for youngsters 10 and under will also be offered.
Race founders/directors, Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann, said that
they anticipate at least 100 swimmers from overseas, mainly the US and
Canada, as well as around 40 local swimmers. “Last year’s event really showed
once more that TCI swimmers can compete and win against top American,
Canadian and UK swimmers who fly in for the race,” said Stubenberg.
Zimmermann added, “It’s truly inspiring to see how far TCI has progressed in
open water swimming right here in their home waters.”
The “Race for the Conch,” rated as one of the top 100 open water races in the
world by World Open Water Swimming Association, has become the biggest
international sports event in the Turks & Caicos. In keeping with the tradition of
buying local, race organizers have collaborated with the following local artists:
Stanford Handfield to carve conch medals for each participant; Lucie Stubbs to
make the plaques that also use conch shells carved by Handfield; Alizee
Zimmermann to design the logo and design for the race T shirts. In addition,
locally created “Proud of My Island” will be the official goodie bags for racers.
The organizers takes seriously the “Eco-SeaSwim” part of the even name by,
among other things, banning sunscreens that are not reef safe. At the venue, all
swimmers will have free access to the official race sunscreen, Caribbean Sol,
which is purely mineral based.
Race for the Conch is a registered TCI nonprofit organization. Proceeds go to
Provo Children’s Home, Reef Fund, TCI Red Cross, and Project Inclusion Turks
& Caicos.
The organizers noted that this event could not take place without dedicated
volunteers along with generous sponsors, and providers. They include: Grace
Bay Club, Ocean Club East, Hartling Group, Experience Turks & Caicos, Whole
Health, Caribbean Bottling Company, Atlantic Aviation, Projetech, Finishing
Touch, SurfSide Ocean Academy, Jafooe Computer Services, Silver Palm
Charters, DJ Dayoh, Got-U-Covered, TCI Red Cross, Big Blue Collective,
Paradise Photography, Luxury Experiences Turks & Caicos, Business Solutions,
LMNT Electrolytes, Natural Trade Distribution, Caicu Naniki Vacation
Adventures, and Marco Travel.
More information about the race, including start times and course description,
can be found on the race website www.ecoseaswim.com.
Note that organizers offer special discounts for TCI residents. They should
register through their swim clubs or at the check-in desk on race day 1.5 hours
before the event start time.
