A fishing boat bound for Tahuna Beach Holiday Park under siege from an octopus was judged the most sand-tastic at Sunday’s sand sculpture challenge.
Hosted by the park which is celebrating triple figures this year, about 65 beachgoers came with buckets and spades, and in some cases “the entire garden shed” and dogs, to expedite digging.
Incorporating the park’s 100 years was encouraged, and a Nelson group of seven nicknamed the “friendly ninjas” were awarded best overall for their “teamwork” and “originality”.
Their sculpture depicted a scene where a boat with campers on board is returning to base from a fishing trip with an unwanted cling-on, complete with a mini clothesline featuring the centenary logo and balloons made from paper and sticks.
Spokesperson for the winning sculptors, Jillian Cole, says community events in summer floats their boat, and despite appearances, the sculpture was improvised within the hour and a half time limit.
“We were really stoked [to win], it was a team effort,” she enthuses.
“Thank you to the holiday park for putting something on like this.”
Tahuna Beach Holiday Park marketing, communications and events manager and sand sculpture judge, Debbie Armatage, says it was pleasing to see people sun-kissed and sandy, with plenty of inventiveness on display.
She says sea creatures, a unicorn, a campervan, and a snowman playing golf were among the standouts.
“New Zealand sand is not as easy as some sand to sculpt with because it's quite granular, so it falls apart as it starts to dry, so there’s been some great efforts,” she says.
“Every month this year we've got some kind of event as part of our centenary celebration, and we want the community to be involved as the holiday park has been part of this community for so long.”
