The skill of sculptors shaped up splendidly despite less than clement weather at this year’s Curio Bay Big Dig.
More than 100 people made their way to the beach at the popular Southland camping destination on Saturday to show off their skills in the sculpting competition and then get stuck into the Big Dig in the search for prizes.
South Catlins Charitable Trust chairman Paul Duffy said the fundraising event had been running for about 16 years and the weather had made this year one of the most challenging yet.
However, it did not stop people from showing up in droves.
"We’re very pleased with the turnout, considering the weather, and there’s been more entries than usual, I think.
"People come from all over — it’s a great community event."
From sea animals with environmentally conscious messages written alongside them, to a tractor and a giant starfish, there was a lot of creativity on display.
Several prizes were handed out to Big Dig participants.
Tussock Creek siblings Zoe and Alex Brinkworth were just two of those who took goodies home after coming first in the sculpting competition, a title they held for the second year in a row.
Their family’s giant octopus was hard to miss on the sandy shore and caught the eye of judges.
Zoe said she had been coming to Curio Bay with her family specifically for the event for the past seven years and considered it a special tradition.
"It took us one and a-half hours and it was very windy."
She hoped to continue to visit the beach each year to take part.
