None Nature Conservancy News Room Press Releases Search All Press Releases Emily Whitted (703) 841-8745 ewhitted@tnc.org Beth Preddy (239) 435-3938 beth@preddypr.com

10th Annual St. Croix Coral Reef Swim to Benefit The Nature Conservancy

Race to Take Place October 22-23, 2005 at The Buccaneer in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands—February 23, 2005—Conservationists who swim and swimmers who are conservationists can combine their two passions with the St. Croix Coral Reef Swim, which is celebrating its 10th annual year on October 23, 2005, on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. For the first time this year, the net proceeds from the Swim will be donated to The Nature Conservancy, which has been instrumental in the establishment of the East End Marine Park in the waters surrounding St. Croix.

This year marks the first time that Swim will donate its proceeds. Race organizers have designated The Nature Conservancy as the beneficiary, with funds earmarked to The Nature Conservancy’s ongoing implementation of conservation and management of threatened coral reef habitat within St. Croix’s East End Marine Park, the Virgin Islands’ first marine park.

The East End Marine Park protects the largest island barrier reef system in the Caribbean and is home to endangered green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles. The park also provides habitat for 17 species of nesting seabirds and marine species such as grouper, snapper, barracuda, parrot fish, doctor fish, surgeon and nurse shark.

The Swim includes nine categories that accommodate swimmers of varying abilities, from teenagers to seniors. Participants in the past include swimming enthusiasts, well-known swim coaches and Olympic swimmers, including Pan American Gold Medalist Alex Kostich and Sydney Olympics Gold Medalist Misty Hyman.

The race begins on world-famous Buck Island, which boasts a spectacular beach and living coral reef designated as an underwater park by the National Park Service, continues through two miles of open water and then along St. Croix’s shoreline of colorful reefs and sandy bottom. The Swim concludes at the main beach of The Buccaneer Hotel, where a palm-lined finish line and steel pan band greet swimmers along with families and friends.

For the past ten years, the event has grown from 75 participants in 1995 to 180 in 2004. Swimmers from throughout the world are attracted by the event’s course through colorful coral reefs and clear turquoise waters, and by its headquarters at The Buccaneer, a luxury destination resort on St. Croix’s east end. The Buccaneer’s general manager, Elizabeth Armstrong, is the event’s creator and organizer.

The Coral Reef Swim entry fee is $80 per swimmer, which covers a pre-race gathering on October 22 at the Buccaneer, an awards lunch, tee shirt, swim cap and the boat ride to the race start. The Buccaneer offers swimmers a 25% discount on accommodations, and American Airlines offers discounted airfare for swimmers and one companion.

Participants can swim the five-mile course solo with or without fins or as part of a three person relay team. Interested participants can receive entry forms and information on www.swimrace.com.

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For more information:

• Event: 10th Annual 5-Mile St. Croix Coral Reef Swim
  Conservationists who swim and swimmers who are conservationists can combine their two passions with the St. Croix Coral Reef Swim.
• Where We Work: Eastern Caribbean
  The Nature Conservancy is working with local governments and partners to protect this network of rain forests, waterfalls, hot springs, sea grass meadows, coral reefs, sandy beaches and coves for the plants and animals that depend on them.
• Places We Protect: East End Marine Park, St. Croix
  East End Marine Park, the first territorial park in the U.S. Virgin Islands, will protect the largest island barrier reef system in the Caribbean.
• How We Work: Global Marine Initiative
  The Nature Conservancy's Global Marine Initiative develops innovative strategies in an effort to protect the rich array of plant and animal life and safeguard the tremendous benefits the oceans provide.