Grace Bay’s Race For the Conch marks the beginning of a unique new event on Providenciales Island
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 one hour by plane from Miami.
Competitive and recreational swimmers are invited to the first-ever “Race for the Conch,” a one-mile swim race to be held on July 10, 2010. A Providenciales hotel on Grace Bay’s world-class 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 swim racing is 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 protective goggles. Diving masks can also be used, but without a 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 heads east back to the finish line roughly parallel to the beach. A conch shell will be blown to indicate the start.
After the Race for the Conch, competitors can kick back and relax 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 of the Bahamas chain in the Caribbean. The island of Providenciales, where the swim race takes place, is served directly by several major airlines that fly directly from Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and London, UK.
