News
A Natural Racing Experience Thrills Senses, Protects the Marine Environment and Producers Winners
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
Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force strengthened community ties through
worship and outreach on Sunday, April 12, with coordinated church engagements in both Grand Turk and Providenciales.
In Grand Turk, officers from the local police station attended a service at the Methodist Church, led by Reverend Frednor Toussaint. The visit was headed by Inspector Jeremy Jones, with Sergeants Marlon Morse and Aquina Martin, along with Detective Police Constable Philip Smith also in attendance.
The service focused on themes of forgiveness and healing, with Reverend Toussaint encouraging congregants to release past burdens and embrace a path toward restoration. Following the service, officers remained to interact with members of the congregation, reinforcing a visible and approachable presence within the community.
At the same time in Providenciales, the Force’s Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit marked Child Abuse Prevention Month with a special church service at the New Testament Church in Blue Hills. Senior leadership was present, including Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Acting Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant and Assistant Commissioner Darron Williams, alongside officers from across various divisions.
The twin engagements reflect ongoing efforts by the police to connect with communities beyond enforcement, using faith-based outreach and public engagement to promote trust, awareness and support across the islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – Moments of reflection, laughter and service came together in Grand Turk on April 13 as officers of
the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force took time to honour retired colleagues while continuing outreach across the community.
Officers attached to the Grand Turk Police Station visited several former members of the Force, creating a day filled with nostalgia as the retirees shared memories of their years in uniform. The exchanges were warm and heartfelt, with many expressing appreciation for being remembered and recognised for their contributions to national service.
Among those visited was retired Superintendent Ralph Doughty, noted for his role in establishing the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Cricket Team. The team also paid visits to former Sergeant Conrad Thomas, former Inspector Benjamin Harvey, Corporal Leroy King, Sergeant George Worrell, Superintendent Marc Henry and Acting Inspector Tomiko Glinton.
The visiting group included Inspector Jeremy Jones, Sergeants Kavin Mars and Aquina Martin, and Constable Hussein Higgs. During the
visits, Superintendent Willet Harvey presented tokens of appreciation to Mr. Doughty and Mr. Glinton in recognition of their service.
The day extended beyond honouring past officers. Welfare checks were also carried out for elderly residents in the community, including Yvonne Lightbourne, Pastor Mary Forbes and Edith Mesa, as officers continued efforts to support and engage with vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, in a parallel outreach effort, Constables Jeffrey Castillo and Demi Alexis visited the Ona Glinton Primary School, where they led a “Good Touch, Bad Touch” awareness session for children aged four to seven, focusing on personal safety and protection.
The initiative highlights the Force’s continued commitment to community policing—bridging generations of service while maintaining a visible and supportive presence across Grand Turk.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to announce that the Turks and Caicos
Islands has been nominated in nine categories in the 2026 World Travel Awards.
These nominations once again underscore the destination’s strength in offering a diverse and high-quality tourism product across our multi-island landscape.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has been nominated in the following categories:
- Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Dive Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Family Travel Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination
- Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board
- Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination
Interim CEO Consultant, Mr. Paul Pennicook, welcomed the nominations.
“The World Travel Awards is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious recognition programmes in global tourism, and the Turks and Caicos Islands has consistently featured among its top honourees. We are delighted to see our destination recognised across key niche areas, which speaks to the dedication of our stakeholders and partners in strengthening and elevating our tourism offerings,” he said.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has won the Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination award for 11 consecutive years and has also secured the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination title for seven consecutive years.
Voting is now open across all regions, with both industry professionals and consumers invited to cast their votes. To participate, visit https://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote and register to vote.
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