On Your Marks: Amateur and Pro Swimmers Take a Dip in TCI

Grace Bay Turks and Caicos

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Photo by: Reagan Johnson

In preparation for the one-mile Race for the Conch Eco-Seaswim tomorrow morning, we just wrapped up an intense three-hour clinic with US Masters swimming instructor, Clay Britt, at the Seven Stars Resort pool – and I'll just say it, I'm exhausted. Granted, I took in the entire clinic from the shade of my lounge chair with only my laptop and a rum punch for sport...but watching these swimmers for even one lap, it was immediately clear that an open-water swim requires some real grit. (And a really tiny bathing suit.) The official race kicks off tomorrow morning (stay tuned to our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages for updates), but the weekend is already packed with athletic diversions like this one.

As for the less turbo-charged among us, there's no shame in simply watching the swim from the shore...after all, I plan to flex my dancing and drinking muscles at the welcome reception tonight at West Bay Club, and the beach party tomorrow following the main event. See – something for everyone! And you can feel good about this event whether you take a dip or stay planted on terra firma, because proceeds from the Race for the Conch will benefit four worthy charities: The Provo Children's Home; the Caracol Children's Home in Cap Haitien, Haiti; the DECR (Department of Environment and Coastal Resources for Turks and Caicos); and TractorShare, an organization providing agricultural equipment to Haiti. Jetsetters are still welcome to hop a plane and enter tomorrow's race, but if you athletes want just a bit more time to warm up, the second annual race is already in the works for next summer. Stay tuned.

Tags: caribbean destinations | eco travel