Sea monsters, monks, big cats and ornate castles emerged on Horseshoe Bay on Saturday as part of the 2022 Bermuda Sandcastle Competition.

Hannah Emmerson, organiser of the annual event, said conditions were perfect for the competition with 36 teams getting their hands dirty.

This year’s top prize – the Best on the Beach award – went to Pete Faverio, who travelled to the island from Maryland with his wife specifically to enter the contest.

Ms Emmerson said: “The beach, he says, is his happy place and I couldn’t agree more. Pete literally showed up at 8am with the set-up crew so excited to build he couldn’t wait to get started.

“He brought with him his own tools and forms that are made from sheet plastic that allowed him to soak and compact his sand into super dense piles – the wetter and more compacted your sand the better chance you have of defying gravity.

“Pete has only been building sandcastles as a hobby for a few years and only ever entered one other competition before this – I hope he will come back and vacation with us every year around this time.”

Mr Faverio’s sandcastle, titled “This is my Happy Place”, faced stiff competition.

Regular competitor Chef Ernie Ogalesco and his team won the adult competition for their sculpture, “Meditating Monk”, with Team Inday’s “Lighthouse Castle” and Team We Tried’s “Fat Cat” claiming second and third place.

Seven teams competed in the teenager category, with Team Sandollars taking the top prize with a sculpture of an elaborate boat.

The Sergeant Major claimed second place with a sculpture of a train while the team of Zoe Wiseman, Evelyn Czember, Khloie Davis, Camille Davis and Dylan Davis came third with a puffer fish.

Team Sandy Hands claimed first prize in the family category with their depiction of the inflation monster, followed by Noah’s Ark – who sculpted their team’s namesake – and Team Seas the Day with a Bermuda Triangle-inspired sculpture.

The children’s category was won by Team Surf Sharks for a family of turtles, with the Sand Dragons and Team J Squared claiming second and third place respectively.

In the visitors’ category, regular competitor Joshua Simoes and friends took the top prize for a sculpture of a castle on top of a turtle.

Yahaira Hall, Rebecca Hall and Jasmine Hall took second place with a New York inspired sculpture, while the Nguyen family built a baby Yoda.

Ms Emmerson thanked the volunteers and sponsors who made the event a reality, including Everen, the Hamilton Princess, Gorham's Bermuda, Barritt's Ginger Beer, Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery and the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.