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Orewa Beach will be turned into a temporary sculpture park again this month for the annual Sandcastle Competition.
This is the fifth year that the event has been held, and organiser Hellen Wilkins of Destination Orewa Beach says it has grown to the point where two categories are needed.
Entry is free, and open to anyone with a bucket and spade – or even a shovel – to create a sculpture. Each person or team gets a spot in the sand to create a sculpture. Natural materials can also be brought in for decoration.
Last year 55 teams entered, with many more people joining in to make sand sculptures, just for fun, around the fringes of the competition site.
Hellen says these numbers meant that judging took more than an hour and as a result this year there are two options for entries – beginner and experienced – and entries are capped at the first 50 to register. There will also be two sets of judges, with each panel made up of a representative from sand sculptors In Good Form, MoreFM Rodney and sponsor Barfoot & Thompson Orewa. One winner and one runner up will be awarded in each category – first prizes are $500 cash and second is valued at $250. There are also plenty of spot prizes.
Every year, Christchurch based sand sculptors In Good Form complete a work made of 20 tonnes of sand, which is brought in and piled up on Moana Reserve. This work will begin on March 19.
The Orewa Sandcastle Competition is on Saturday, March 23 with registration from 1pm on Moana Reserve.
