Categories
Things To Do In The Caribbean

Race for the Conch: The Sport of Open Water Swimming

race for the conch

The annual Race for the Conch open-water swimming race will be held at Grace Bay in July.

To help our guests learn more about this sport, we contacted the World Open Water Swimming Association for an introduction to this fascinating and popular pursuit.

What is the attraction of open water swimming?

Everyone is different but open water swimming provides an individual who can swim a strong sense of freedom, adventure, challenge and exploration in a dynamic environment where the variables can range from water temperature to water conditions.

Can anyone do it? Do you need special training?

Yes, but firstly they must of course be able to swim. Pool swimming is dramatically different as you can always get out of the pool, hang on the wall or lane lines. Therefore, the ability to swim or tread water constantly is an essential skill.

What are some misconceptions about the sport?

There are many! For example, do you have to be good or fast? Neither are a requirement.

Do you need to wear a wetsuit? No.

Do you need to swim without a wetsuit? No.

Will a shark eat you? The likelihood of a shark attack during a competitive swim is as close to zero per cent as can be possible. While there have been shark encounters (where a shark is casually cruising in its own element) during a handful of swims in history (e.g., Australia or Florida), there has never been a shark attack during a race that I know of.

Where is the biggest open water swimming community?

In terms of a community, I think big communities include a nice place to swim in that is close to a large metropolitan area with a healthy triathlon community.

This includes London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Melbourne, Barcelona, Cape Town, Sydney, Honolulu, Cancun, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and several other hotbeds of open water like Sandycove Island (Ireland), Strait of Messina (Italy), Lake Ontario (Canada), Wellington (New Zealand), Miami (Florida), etc.

What makes for a good open water swimming course?

Number One is safety. Is the course close to the shore? Are there sufficient safety personnel on the course?

Number Two is the scenic beauty, both on the land and in the water.

Number Three is the uniqueness of the course (e.g., going around the island or from a well-known point-to-point course).

Number Four is its variability (e.g., does the course have waves, currents, wind, coral reefs, marine life)?

For spectators, where is the best place to watch an open water swimming race?

Most definitely, the best place to see the race is from a boat in order to watch the swimmers up close. The second-best place is either the start or finish where much of the mass participation action is. The third-best place is around the turn buoys when many swimmers try to swim in the same place at the same time, leading to a mass of physicality.

Where is the “biggest” open water swimming race held each year?

In terms of the number of people in a mass participation swim, it is the Sun Moon Lake International Festival in central Taiwan with 25,000 maximum entrants (which they always meet).

In terms of number of people in a competitive event, it is the Midmar Mile in South Africa with about 18,000 entrants annually.

The Top 100 Open Water Swims (in the world; in the US) shows many of the biggest swims.

The Sands at Grace Bay is one of the recommended hotels for the Race for the Conch.

Categories
Awards

The Sands: Expedia Top Partner of the Year!

The Sands at Grace Bay has been in the news quite a bit over the past few months. Here’s a recap:

Expedia Top Partner of the Year Award

sands expedia award

We’re proud to announce The Sands @ Grace Bay won the Expedia Top Partner of the Year Award! Partner Awards are presented to original and groundbreaking campaigns in recognition of the exemplary innovation and success in digital marketing and advertising.

Luxury Travel: Caribbean Sands at Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos

Thanks to WT Communities Digital News, LLC for this great article featuring The Sands @ Grace Bay! Link

Affordable Romance Packages at Top Turks & Caicos Resort

Love is in the air! Jetsetters Blog wrote about our 2014 romance packages! Link

Caribbean Properties Offering Love and Happiness

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Travel Pulse wrote about our two Romance packages offered in 2014! Link

Learn more about our current specials here.

Categories
Turks Caicos Information

Tips For Taking Spectacular Vacation Photos in Turks & Caicos…Part Two

Last month, Paradise Photography (located in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos) offered resort guests staying at The Sands at Grace Bay some great tips for taking spectacular photos during their Turks & Caicos vacation. This is part 2 of their helpful “photography tips for vacationers” series (checkout more photo-taking tips here: http://thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com/blog/tips-taking-spectacular-photos-turks-caicos-vacation/):

1.   Tell a Story: Photography is about storytelling.  So, tell your story and make it a memorable one.  The stronger the story, the longer it will last in your viewer’s mind.  Here we have a story of a little girl in flight.  Will she make it or will she not?  Dad is confident.  Mom and brother are left wondering.  How do you think the story ends?

photo 1

2. Be Creative with your Surroundings:  One of a photographer’s greatest challenges is to consistently create images that are fresh and unique.   Some people think that creativity cannot be taught.  However, some of us disagree.  One method to stimulate your artistic juices is to use your surroundings and objects in your surroundings to create the composition.  For example, the following image demonstrates how a leopard skin lampshade, a matching pillow, a window for lighting, and a motivated bride with bouquet can all come together to create a one-of-a-kind portrait.

photo 2

3. Embrace the Wind:   Wind can be your enemy or you best friend if you know how to harness it.  Studio photographers go to great lengths to create artificial wind.  Here in the tropics we have all the natural wind we need to create unique images.  Learn how to use the wind by turning your subject in the optimal direction to capture images that are dynamic and full of life.  For instance, cathedral veils and poofy dresses are great props to use when there is a stiff breeze.  So let them flow, and use them to create leading lines and powerful compositions.

photo 3

4. Create Amazing Panoramics by Stitching:  Creating panoramic images from multiple overlapping images has become fairly simple with the advent of high tech camera equipment and advanced stitching software.  The important things to remember in using this technique are:

  1. Keep your camera level as you rotated from image to image.
  2. Hold your camera steady or use a tripod.
  3. Overlap each image.
  4. Capture each image with the same camera settings.
  5. Don’t make the final panoramic too long.  A length to width ratio of 4:1 or less is ideal.

photo 4 part 1photo 4 part 2

Paradise Photography is a full service boutique photography company located in Providenciales that offers a variety of different photography, videography and portrait package options for those visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Master and Certified Professional Photographers offer a variety of custom photography services including weddings, creative family or couple portrait sessions, events, and more. For more information, visit www.MyParadisePhoto.com or call 202-494-0639.

Categories
Announcements

The Sands Introduces 2014 Romance Packages

Top Turks & Caicos Resort Unveils 2014 Romance Packages In The Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (January 13, 2014) – The Sands at Grace Bay is offering two romance packages in 2014 that feature special touches such as sparkling wine, rejuvenating massages and a sunset beach cruise to help couples fall in love all over again in Turks & Caicos. The resort’s signature romance packages conveniently allow couples to customize the details of their romance stay, by selecting their preferred studio or suite accommodation, length of stay and time of visit. Couples will also enjoy a variety of free first-class amenities, including free use of watersports equipment and bicycles, and the resort’s stunning oceanside location on Grace Bay Beach, named the “Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination” by the 2013 World Travel Awards.

The following are inclusions from The Sands’ 2014 Romance Packages. Room accommodations are not included in the “per couple” price and must be booked separately.

Fall in Love Again Package: $650 Per Couple

  • Chilled bottle of sparkling wine in room upon arrival
  • 70 Minute Swedish massage For two
  • Couples sunset beach cruise

Lasting Love Romance Package: $1,250 Per Couple

  • Chilled bottle of sparkling wine in room upon arrival
  • Fresh Flowers & Strawberries in room upon arrival
  • His & Her Spa treatments for two including:
    • 70-minute Swedish massage
    • Full scalp massage
    • Mini reflexology
  • Couples sunset beach cruise
  • Couples beach cruise: Tour secluded Cays, snorkel along the reef and collect seashells
  • Roundtrip airport transfers

Couples will enjoy the following complimentary amenities during their resort stay: free use of watersports equipment including kayaks, windsurfing equipment, stand-up paddleboards, snorkel gear and Hobie Cats; bicycles for island exploration; a weekly Manager’s Cocktail Party; three free-form swimming pools adorned by a cascading waterfall and a relaxing Jacuzzi; tennis courts lit for night play; an indoor fitness gym; complimentary beach and poolside lounge chairs, towels, and Palapa beach shades.

The 2014 Romance Package rates do not include the price of room accommodations, resort taxes or service charges. Couples can select their preferred studio or suite accommodation based on their budgets. Refunds will not be provided for unused features of any package purchased. For more information or to book a romantic vacation at The Sands at Grace Bay, guests can visit www.thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com or they can toll-free from the U.S. (877) 777-2637; from Canada (800) 567-5327; or contact a travel agent for reservations.

About The Sands at Grace Bay

The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach. Named one of the, “Top 15 Resorts in the Atlantic” by the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards, this gracious, family-friendly 114-room resort offers accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet, all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. Suites also come with fully equipped kitchens appointed with stainless appliances, dining and living room areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more. The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar – a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite – where guests can enjoy gourmet selections and island specialties seven days a week. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are also available by appointment.

Media Contact:
Cassie Dittrich, (802) 522-0714,

Categories
Turks Caicos Information

Turks & Caicos Babymoon Package Pampers Expecting Couples In Paradise

The Sands at Grace Bay has partnered with several exceptional local vendors to offer a Babymoon get-away package featuring special inclusions to help expecting couples relax and cherish quality time together in Turks & Caicos. To make your “pre-baby” trip memorable, The Sands at Grace Bay’s Babymoon package boasts a professional one-hour couples photoshoot, an in-room pre-natal pilates & yoga class “for two”, a babymoon spa package for the “mom-to-be”, and a $25 restaurant gift certificate. In addition to a ten percent room rate discount, expectant couples will enjoy a “Babymoon Essentials” gift basket and pre-stocked “baby cravings snacks” in their room upon arrival.

The 2014 Babymoon vacation package rates start from $1,690 for a three-night minimum stay at The Sands at Grace Bay, based on double occupancy, and the rate includes all of the following:

  • A 10 percent discount off a 3-night minimum resort stay, including resort taxes & fees (not combinable with other offers).
  • A professional couples portrait session offered by Paradise Photography that includes a one-hour photoshoot (shot on-site at the resort) and a $50 credit when ordering photos.
  • One in-room Pre-natal Pilates & Yoga class offered by Studio 90 Degrees, consisting of a private 60-minute exercise session for “two” to help stretch, strengthen and tone the muscles used to carry a growing baby as well as reduce pregnancy back and hip pain.
  • A “Pickles & Ice cream” Babymoon spa package offered by Spa Tropique includes one Fabulous Facial, Spa Manicure and Full Scalp Massage for the “mom-to-be.”
  • A $25 gift certificate to the island’s beachfront Hemingway’s Restaurant & Bar, is ideal for celebratory cocktails for the dad and non-alcoholic mocktails for the mom “to-be.”
  • A “Babymoon Essentials” Gift Basket includes a celebratory cigar for dad, a bottle of sparkling cider, and a baby’s first rattle gift.
  • The following four “Baby-Cravings” snacks will be pre-stocked in the couples kitchen prior to their arrival: Ice cream, cranberry juice, pretzels and pickles.

Guests can book the resort’s 2014 Babymoon Package by calling toll-free from the U.S. (877) 777-2637; from Canada (800) 567-5327; or contacting a travel agent for reservations.

For more Babymoon Package details, visit: http://thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com/rates-and-reservations/packages/

Babymoon