The world famous Grace Bay Beach on the island of Providenciales will host a unique event designed to showcase the stunning natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British protectorate located in the Caribbean approximately an hour by plane from Miami.

Competitive and recreational swimmers are invited to the first ever “Run for the Conch,” a one-mile swimming race to be held on July 10, 2010. A Providenciales hotel on world-class Grace Bay beach will be the host of the race, which will have one of the longest barrier reefs in the world as a backdrop. Swimmers will share the clear blue waters of Grace Bay with dolphins, tropical fish, and many different varieties of coral.

Open water swimming races are one of the fastest growing participatory sports in the world and is the newest Olympic event. While fins, paddles and wetsuits will not be allowed, swimmers are strongly encouraged to wear goggles. Diving masks can also be used, but no snorkel. The race course will be marked by a series of buoys, with the first half of the course running west roughly parallel to the beach at Grace Bay. The second half of the course goes east back to the finish line roughly parallel to the beach. A conch will be blown to indicate the beginning.

After the Race for the Conch, competitors can relax and unwind on the white sand beaches, or experience island tours, snorkeling and fishing, culminating in fine dining and entertainment at a Providenciales hotel.

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of almost 40 islands and cays, and are neighbors to the chain of the Bahamas in the Caribbean. The island of Providenciales, where the swim race takes place, is served non-stop by several major airlines that fly direct from Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and London (UK).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *