New scavenger hunt a winner for Waihi Beach

50 teams enter new event the Great Waihi Scavenger Hunt

It has been all go at Waihi Beach this summer. With a run of spectacular weather, visitors flocked to the beach continually from Christmas to Anniversary weekend. With events guidelines changing, Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions had to change up their offering for the summer.

In order to offer an interesting and fun event that adhered to the current guidelines the first inaugural Great Waihi Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by LJ Hooker, was established to get people out and about having fun in Waihi Beach, without being a in large crowds. Fifty teams of up to five could enter the hunt, and it proved so popular that it sold out a week before hunt date.

Teams had to travel around Waihi Beach and find out information and cryptic clues on the area and complete

challenges. Such challenges including building an epic sand modelling creation, finding a special plaque, taking a picture of something or someone world-famous in Waihi Beach and so on. All teams that found

all 12 clues went into the draw for a dig-off to win cash prizes.

Teams of people of all ages made the most of the challenges and had fun as a group or family. Most of the teams finished all the challenges and

from this three teams were picked randomly to compete in the dig-off near the surf club to dig up a seacreature figure which determined which cash prize they would take home. It was hard yards, with team members having to dig and search deep in a section of sand, but after 17 minutes all three prizes were claimed. Team Slatts found the winning figure and walked away with $750, with Team Purdue and Team Lulu Lemons taking home $500 and $250 respectively.

“The response has been so wonderful” says Waihi Beach Events & Promotions events coordinator Vicki Lambert. “Locals and visitors said how much they enjoyed getting out together exploring Waihi Beach. It is definitely an event that we will continue and build on next year.”

Check out hashtag #waihibeachhunt on Facebook or Instagram for fun images of the hunt.

The triumphant winners were Team Slatts. From left, Nicky Mowat and Vicki Lambert with the winning team.

Team Fearless strike a pose for the Miss Waihi Beach Challenge.

Team No Savage were the sand modelling champions.

Team Chip Hunters adorn themselves with shell art.