How do we keep them up for a month?    The real enemy of the sculptures is a hot, dry wind that sucks the moisture from the sculpture and allows individual grains of sand to blow away in the wind. Rain, even heavy rain, actually strengthens the sculpture. After the sculptures are carved, we spray each completed sculpture with a product called "WeatherTect II" which is a water-soluble polymer that helps keep the water in. WT II is bio-degradable and environmentally friendly & was developed by the U.S. Navy to stop the erosion of sand dunes. Even WT II will not keep a sculpture intact if it wasn't built properly in the first place.

Why is the World Championships in Harrison Hot Springs so unique?    Although some contests have tried to hold their contests over two-days, no one else is able to build over a five-day period and thus allow 2-person teams to compete with 10- person teams simply by giving them the same 100 person-hours. Not having a tide is also the reason for the month-long exhibition. Secondly, unlike ocean beaches where the sand is rolled back and forth on each tide, HHS sand is angular, with a high silt content which increases its bindability and has led to three, progressively-higher Guinness' World Records for the World's Highest Sandcastle to be set here.

How are they able to build them so high.   They use wooden forms. The bottom form is filled with sand & water and the next one, usually slightly smaller, is put on top of it. The one underneath is then used to stand on as they go up. When the desired height is reached, they take off the top form and carve it, take off the next one & carve it, all the way back down, again using the bottom forms as a ladder.

When does the contest start, and when will it be held next year?    Every year, the contest starts the Tuesday after Labour Day. The final judging is on Sunday afternoon and the Exhibition of finished sculpture continues until Canadian Thanksgiving/Columbus Day in Ocotober.

How can my family enter a team?   Sorry, the World Championships are only open to Master Sculptors with years of experience. There are about 200 contests in North America and most of them have amateur contests that encourage families. The closest ones to us are at Parksville and White Rock, B.C. There are a number of contests on the Washington coast throughout the summer.

Where does the gate money go?   The Sand Sculpture Society is a Registered Non-Profit Society. The gate money goes to pay for: prize money; sculptors’ travel, accommodation and meals; 24-hour security guards; fencing; security lights; etc. etc. etc... . At present it costs about $130,000 to put on the contest.

How long does it take to build and carve the sculptures?    The Solos work for 22 person-hours over 3 days. The new Doubles Class has 50 person-hours over three days. All of the team entries have 100 person-hours regardless of the size of the team (from 2-10 people).