World Championship of Sand Sculpting coming to Beach in November
After a successful weekend with the family-fun festival featuring tandem sand sculpting competition and demonstrations, live entertainment, kid’s activities and many vendors, the officials of the inaugural Sand Bash announced they will be returning to the Holiday Inn on Fort Myers Beach site next year as well as in November 2011 for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting.
“Our company and the rest of the organizers are bringing the World Championships of Sand Sculpting to this beach in November of this year,” said Sand Lubbers’ Bill Knight, who emceed for much of the festival events.
Big C Events President Jason Camp, who is noted for being the creator of Sand Bash, confirmed the world-caliber championship event coming to Fort Myers Beach.
“We’re all involved,” said Camp.
Last year, the Worlds event was held in Federal Way, Wash. with Thomas Koet winning the singles event; Hanneke Supply and Martijn Rijerse, the tandem winners in the doubles event; and The Macha’s as the team champions. Team USA (with Beach resident and captain Katie Corning) was second in the team championships.
Regarding the Sand Bash sand sculpting doubles competition, Knight said there was only 10 points of the possible 549 points that separated the first and third place.
“The S- Hands of Time” by Sandis Konrats and Charlie Beaulieu captured first place. Gold medal for the sand sculpting competition took home $4,000.
“The Fish Story” by Matt Diebert and John Gowdy picked up second place and the silver medal, and the bronze medal went to Joris Kivts and Bouke Atema for their art “Unknown Heroes.” The “Sculptor’s Choice” award also went to “Unknown Heroes” and the Master Sculptors from the Netherlands.
“This has been one of the best-run events I have ever seen,” said Beaulieu. “I’m very excited about the World Championships coming here in November.”
The celebrity sand sculpting judges included Edison State College Art Professor Dina Kelm; Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker; Councilwoman Jo List; WINK-TV Meteorologist Scott Zedeker; ABC-7 News Anchor Stacey Deffenbaugh; and Fort Myers Boys and Girls Club President Jim Larkin.