Summer often means the beach and there is no better way to cap off the summer season than by entering the Annual Bermuda Sand Sculpture Competition at Horseshoe Bay on Saturday, September 3.This will be the 16th year the competition will have been staged although this year there will be no ‘international’ division.Nicky Gurret, the director of the competition and an architect with Gibbons Management Services, said: “For the past five years the Department of Tourism have sponsored the competition and have brought down professionals from overseas. But due to budgetary constraints this year they have not been able to do it and quite honestly that is fine with me. I want it more for a public venture. However having said that it was a great element to have professionals entered.”The categories this year will be:n Familiesn Children (12 years and under)n Teenagers (13 to 19 years)n Seniors (55 plus)n Openn Company/Organisationn TouristMs Gurret said a number of people have been competing every year. “We have had families that have competed for several years now and we also have had tourists who regularly come down for the event. One group have come down four times. Also people like to go along to see and watch how it is done. Some people in Bermuda have never seen it but when they eventually do come they are quite flabbergasted and surprised how sand sticks together and how it creates something.”One category that Ms Gurret wants to see more people competing in is the Seniors.“We added that one last year but didn’t get one entry. Hopefully this year we will.”The sand used is from the beach itself.The sculptures have to be made within the time limit of 10.00am to 4.00pm and the building lot area must measure 12 feet by 12 feet. Only one category per team is allowed and a team can number up to six people.A panel of three judges will begin the judging at 4.00pm.And there are cash prizes for first, second and third place in all categories!First place takes home $1,000, second place $500 and third place $250.Ms Gurret said many people use things that are found on the beach to enhance their sculptures.“Some people use seaweed and other things they find like plastic caps which they can use for a mermaid’s hair. Others have used black plastic bags for ship wrecks and of course driftwood is used as well.“But I think the most effective sculptures are just sand. Some people bring dye but I do not think it looks that good. Over the years we have had all the ocean creatures, we have had the Pyramids and that Olympic bird thing from China.“And of course we have had lots of castles made.”One particular sculpture stands out for Ms Gurret. She said: “One year we had a fellow who looked like one of those guys in (rock band) ZZ Top. He did the most amazing sand sculpture with an arch in it that did not collapse.”One of the tricks to making a sand sculpture is getting the sand wet right the way through.“Dry sand just blows away,” she said. “The technique is to saturate the sand beforehand you really have to prepare the sand properly and get the consistency just right.“Then there are the different techniques to making the sculpture. One technique is to get a slab and take away (sand). The other way is to carve it you can combine the two.”Some people bring tools to help make the sculpture and others just use their hands.“Some use a spatula to make sharp corners, to put names on the sculpture and to make eyes. But you can make anything with just your hands.”While the competition will be in September, everyone got a sneak preview at the recent Kite Festival day at Fort St Catherine recently.“I went down there and built a sculpture and also got some children to do some we had 16 entries.”Although she said that after 16 years of running the competition she was ready to hand it over, Ms Gurret added: “I do it because I enjoy it.”In fact she enjoys anything creative.“I love flower arranging and jewellery design anything to do with design.”This year the Department of Tourism and Department of Parks teamed up with Ms Gurret and London based company Indoor Garden Design to showcase the Island as an ideal honeymoon destination at the world famous Royal Chelsea Flower Show.And they came away with a silver medal and what is acknowledged as the world’s most prestigious flower show.“We got a silver and got on the BBC,” said Ms Gurret.