Sand Sculpture Extravaganza: Fun and fantasy on the foreshore
One of the creations at the sand sculpture competition.
The Arts Council’s annual Sand Sculpture Extravaganza doesn’t have “sandcastle” in its title, because on Pohara Beach on extravaganza days, real sandcastles with battlements and a portcullis are getting hard to find.
Instead, along the shoreline, inching its way toward the high tide mark and the marram grass, a whimsical, wonderful procession of sealife, skeletons, volcanoes, giraffes and a huge dog emerges. Near a mermaid, a framed sand window opens on a vista of texture and colour. There is even a representation of the Pohara-Tarakohe coast, complete with boulders and its distinctive trees, created by Kirsty Richmond, family and friends.
The event attracted 120 sculptors and helpers, visitors and local families alike, with the usual representation from the neighbouring campground. Numbers were lower than in recent years, possibly due to the iffy forecast and cold wind, but there was no shortage of creative energy. The 36 sand figures entertained a large number of curious photographers and spectators, including visitors from England, America and New Caledonia, who were concerned that a giant carnivorous sand slug, complete with seaweed trail, might represent a species of dangerous native escargot.
Extravaganza entries are not judged; instead there was a draw for generous spot prizes donated by local businesses. The annual trophy, an elegant jar filled with multicoloured layers of sand from various beaches Baywide, was awarded to Samuel (13) (photo below left) and Rachel Walls, from Christchurch, who “captured the spirit of the event”, said organiser and Arts Council chairman Grant Knowles. For their interactive sculpture, Rachel (12) buried her brother up to his head all morning, built him a mermaid’s body, complete with wig, and had passers-by feed him chocolate fish.
Seeing families having fun together is a buzz, says Grant.
“It’s one of my favourite events on the arts calendar.”
After the crowd drifted away an older beachgoer wandered among the creations, noting the open window sculpture. As the cold wind continued its build-up to rain, he remarked to its designer, Murray Rogers: “You’d better close that window. It’s getting draughty in here.”
Maria Polglase
