**This is a Conservation Week event**

Envirohub Bay of Plenty has teamed up with the Department of Conservation, Coastal Marine Field Station - the University of Waikato, Scion Research, Waihi Beach Environment Society (Inc), Predator Free BOP, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Waihi Beach Info to bring you this fun-filled and educational day at the beach.

Complete with kids sand dig, sand sculpture contest, live music and beach clean up. All set alongside interactive education providers focused on the importance of conserving our beautiful taonga, reducing our waste and keeping it out of the marine environment.

Locals from Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga Districts can also pick up a free rat trap for their backyard from Predator Free Bay of Plenty’s local Waihi Beach community leader. There is also a chance for kids to paint their rat trap to take home!

Come and join us for a day at the beach!

Event Schedule:

10:15-10:30 Kids Treasure Dig

10:30-12:00 Sand Sculpture Contest

10:30-13:00 Education and awareness about conservation, biosecurity threats, waste, predator control, kauri protection & myrtle rust

10:30-13:00 Beach Clean Up

12:30 - 12:45 Prizegiving (time subject to change)

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**SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST RULES**

Theme: Marine-themed. You get bonus points for a NZ species.

Categories and prizes: Individual and Team. 1 st = $100, 2nd = $75, 3rd = $50 in both categories. Plus a people’s choice award = $50.

Contestants are to check in and register the day of the event prior to beginning work. Contestant will receive participant sign to be staked in work area. Contestants should draw some boundaries on their

working area probably near the water (above high tide line).

1) Have fun. Anything goes, you don’t need to be a pro to enter. This contest is for everyone.

2) Sand sculpture is to be made from sand and water only and marine-themed.

3) Hand tools (spades, rakes, trowels, spools, blunt knives etc) only. No mechanical tools may be used in building or carving sculpture. Sprayers to keep sand moist are acceptable. Forms and aids may be used for construction but must be removed before final judging.

4) Only objects found naturally on the beach may be used in the sculpture. “Foreign” objects found on beach may not be used. No added colours, props, objects etc.

5) Open to any age for individuals or teams. There are prizes for individuals and prizes for teams.

6) Any materials brought to the beach must be removed after contest. Please help keep Waihi Beach clean.

The final judging will occur from 12:00 pm. The sculpture will be judged from one “viewable” side (back of sculpture need not be carved or finished). Viewable side established by the contestant (indicated by location of participant sign).

REGISTER

There will be walk in registration on the day, but you can also register online which gives us some

advance notice by clicking and filling in this google form: https://forms.gle/UKbFYtQmbZkkLGKx6

TIPS

Have a plan before starting of what Marine creature you plan to sculpt. Pack your sand very hard and use LOTS of water. Use mounds or stacks of very wet sand then carve out the shape you want. Use deep cuts and features to add detail to the sculpture.

For more tips check out these websites and videos:

Tips: www.sandcastlecentral.com

How to build a Turtle sand sculpture: https://youtu.be/-USzKmQ4Ahw

How to build the ultimate sandcastle: https://youtu.be/7Pb0Z38GWhI

Good luck :-)