Sandy creations all in good fun

Perfect weather, enthusiastic holidaymakers and Pohara Beach provided all the ingredients for a Sand Sculpture Extravaganza.

Yesterday’s conditions were in sharp contrast to this time last year when organisers cancelled the event because they were afraid to dig into floodaffected sands. ‘‘We didn’t know what we’d find,’’ said organiser Grant Knowles.

Mr Knowles said the familyfocused, Arts Council- supported event had been running for at least 18 years.

‘‘The thing about this event is it brings family together . . . they’re not watching TV together or playing computer games, they’re actually doing something together.

‘‘We always give a trophy to someone or a family who show something special towards the spirit of the event.’’ It had previously been awarded to a dog who was running around digging, Mr Knowles said.

This year the sand sculpture trophy went to Mackenzie Crompton, Jess Crompton and Athena Chaney. Mackenzie Crompton lay in the sand posing as a mermaid, while Jess Crompton and Athena Chaney supplied her with water and food and other requirements.

Though some entrants expected their creations to be judged, there were no prizes awarded for best sculptures.

‘‘We don’t judge,’’ said Mr Knowles. ‘‘Some years ago we used to judge, it was really difficult to judge a monumental sculpture made by a team of adults against poor little Johnny’s pile of sand with a few sticks and shells in it. So we made the choice not to judge it. That choice has been a little unpopular, but I’m sticking to it.’’

There were 58 entries into the sculpture extravaganza and at least 200 people joined in the creative fun. Thanks to Pohara businesses, 32 spot prizes were handed out to a hot audience who headed to the Ice Pirate for a cold snack afterwards.

Pohara businesses who donated prizes were the Ice Pirate, Pohara Motor Camp, San Souci, Plan B, Ratanui Lodge, the Sandcastle, Little Rock mini golf, Pohara Store and Blokarts.