Welcome to the Great Turtle Race! I’m Rowdy Gaines, “The Voice of Swimming,” and I’ll be serving as the official Race commentator. For the next 14 days, follow 11 leatherback turtles as they swim from Nova Scotia, Canada across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. The first turtle to cross the finish line and enter the Caribbean wins!

Photo by AP

While some turtles might not cross the finish line before the end of the Race, we’re expecting them all to put on a great show.

Leatherbacks are great swimmers and divers, but they’ve gotten some extra coaching for the Race. The extra boost comes from from Olympic swimmers Amanda Beard, Janet Evans, Jason Lezak, Eric Shanteau, and Aaron Peirsol! Find out more about the swimmers on the Coaches and Commentators page.

The turtles will also be competing in swimming challenges to see who enters the coldest water, who dives the deepest and for the longest time, and who travels the greatest distance during the Race.

Stay tuned for daily Race updates to follow your favorite turtle’s progress. You can also track your progress on the Great Turtle Race Map. Let the race begin!

Meet the Turtles

Backspacer
Billy
Cali
Estéban
Grembo Jones
Lindblad the Explorer
Nightswimmer
Nueva Esperanza
Seabiscuit
Searcher
Wawa Bear