Great support for upcoming sand sculpture comp

16 Jan, 2023

JULIA WADE

Coming to a beach nearby is an event fast becoming a much-anticipated affair for locals and visitors alike, an opportunity to let the imagination run wild down in the sand as well as a chance to win great cash prizes.  

Brought to the community by Mangawhai Rotary, the 2023 ‘Sandsational’ sand sculpture event is set to take place on February 5 at Mangawhai Heads surf beach, with both junior and senior sections. The day will also include the two extra comps from last year which proved popular, ‘Drop the golf ball’ and ‘Fancy dressed dog and owner’ along with a tug-of-war, face painting and spot prizes for buried treasure.

A fully non-profit charitable event, all proceeds this year are going to both the Mental Health Foundation of NZ and St John local branches.

This year’s prize pool is worth over $4000, thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses Raincloud Water Supplies, The REAL Team Real Estate, Mangawhai Vet Centre, Mangawhai Heads Four Square, Tara Iti Golf Club, Bunnings and New World.

Winning crews in both the junior and senior sand sculpture comp could potentially take home a collective prize of $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third, with the same amounts offered for participants in ‘Drop the golf ball’ and ‘Fancy dressed dog and owner’ events.

Tickets are limited and went on sale from January 14 and every other Saturday in January from outside New World and Bunnings Mangawhai stores from 10am to 2pm. $10 per ticket for sand sculpture, $5 for golf/dog comp.

n For more information contact mangawhai.rotary@gmail.com

The summer sand sculpture comp always attracts a keen crowd of beach-goers. PHOTO/FILE