The Gold Coast Bulletin

WEATHER’S A DIRTY RASCAL, WE’RE NOT KING OF CASTLE

- KATE PARASKEVOS kate.paraskevos@news.com.au

THERE were quick hands and quick sand as the Gold Coast took a shot at a world record attempt.

More than 1200 people hit Surfers Paradise beach to try and break a world record sand castle constructi­on attempt, but the weather was not on their side.

There where sand castles as far as the eye could see with more than 3,000 60cm tall mounds constructe­d in the one-hour time limit.

However, only 1,589 were officially accepted as per the rules and guidelines laid out by Guinness World Records, with the wind and high tides blamed for the end result.

While some waves swamped the castles close to the ocean, the strong seaway winds scattered the precious tops from some of the castles forcing them to become ineligible for the competitio­n.

Surfers Paradise fell short of the previous world record of 2,230 sandcastle­s set in Germany in 2013.

Abby West and friends from the Ashmore Scouts and the Helensvale Cubs took part.

“We got the cubs, scouts, adventurer­s and some joeys down here to help,” she said.

“It’s probably a once in a lifetime opportunit­y to at least try for one.”

Anita Haberley travelled from Beenleigh to take part in the event, enlisting the help of some random friends.

“We really wanted to try and break it,” she said.

“We’ve been in the sun all day shovelling and making our castles. A few of ours got trampled.”

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said Gold Coasters should be extremely proud for coming together and giving their all.

 ?? Picture: GLENN HAMPSON ?? Guinnes World Records judge Solvej Malouf and assistant Phil Bennett run their eye over more than 3000 castles built at Surfers Paradise.
Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Guinnes World Records judge Solvej Malouf and assistant Phil Bennett run their eye over more than 3000 castles built at Surfers Paradise.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia