Faq
What happens in a Sandcastle lesson?
Your lesson is fun, interactive, educational, and very hands-on, as you learn how to achieve height and compaction, using both inexpensive plastic forms, handstacking techniques and water. You will be shown how to carve windows, stairs, turrets and arches as you are guided step-by-step to make your own 1-metre-tall masterpiece.
Where are the lessons held?
Our lessons can be held in five beautiful Western Bay of Plenty beach locations, All locations offer parking, public toilets and changerooms, access to nearby cafes, foodtrucks and/or shops, and seasonal lifeguard supervision. Choose the location that is most convenient for you.*
- Mount Maunganui (Moturiki/Leisure Island)
- Mount Maunganui (Tay Street Beach, Marine Parade)
- Omanu Surf Club
- Papamoa Domain
- Waihi Beach Surf Club – Please note that Waihi Beach lessons incur a $25 travel surcharge.
*Multiple lessons on the same day will always be held at the same location. If it isn’t possible to choose a location when booking, it will be because an earlier booking has selected our beach location for that particular day.
Can I choose my own lesson location?
If you are the first person to book a lesson on a particular day, you get to choose the location of the lesson, from our dropdown menu of locations.
Multiple lessons on the same day will always be held at the same location. If it isn’t possible to choose a location when booking, it will be because an earlier booking has selected our beach location for that particular day.
If you have a different location, beach, or specific beach access that you would like to use as the location for your lesson, please contact King of the Castle Sandart directly. The biggest considerations for us when considering alternative locations will be the quality of the sand, and the access for getting equipment to the beach.
Do we have to build a castle?
For demonstration purposes, your instructor will show you how to build a castle. You are welcome to follow your instructor’s lead, or express your creativity sculpting anything you wish. The only limit is your imagination. Surprise us.
What happens if it rains?
At King of the Castle Sandart we have everyone’s comfort and safety in mind when we are making decisions about rain or weather.
If the weather forecast is for rain or strong wind, or storm surge tides, we may try and reschedule your lesson, or have to cancel completely.
On the day of your lesson (between 9:00-9:30 am) your tutor will contact you via the telephone number provided at the time of booking.
If we cancel your lesson, we will happily provide you with a full refund of any payments, back to your original mode of payment.
If your sandcastle lesson commences and is subsequently terminated before completion due to rain or weather, 50% of the lesson fee will be refunded.
What does it mean if I cannot access a day on the website booking calendar?
Sometimes dates and times are already booked, or unavailable, so will not be offered on the website. There will also be dates when the incoming tide makes it inconvenient to run a lesson. Unfortunately, we do not maintain a waiting list.
What clothing or footwear do I need?
Whatever you normally wear at the beach. You will get a little wet as you will need to walk in the ocean up to your knees, and will be digging in sand, so shorts and a t-shirt or UV rash vest. If the weather is hot, just a swimsuit and hat will be fine. For most of the sculpting you will probably be in bare feet, but you may want footwear such as sandals or jandals that are easily slipped on while you are shovelling sand at the start of the build.
Can my children’s grandparents come but just watch?
Absolutely. Let us know if you have non-participating family with you, and we will ensure that we provide a shaded site.
Is it safe to swim in the sea?
We have chosen very safe and popular swimming locations for our lessons, so you can easily stay put after your lesson if you want. Tay Street Beach, Omanu, and Waihi Beach are gently shelving sand beaches that are very popular for swimming. To ensure the safety of your family, all of our beach locations are supervised by trained lifeguards during the summer months and flagged safe swimming zones are adjacent to our build sites.
Can children have a lesson by themselves?
Our family lessons have been created as a bonding activity. We know that kids love to experience the castle building alongside their parents, so we prefer that FAMILY & WHANAU lessons combine both children and adults.
Groups comprising of children only (ages 5-16) are permitted, however as a Health and Safety precaution around water, active parental supervision is required during the first part of the castle build (approximately 30 minutes) as the children will walk into the ocean up to their knees to collect water.
Is this just for children?
Definitely not. Doing something creative and artistic in the outdoors is hugely rewarding and surprisingly therapeutic for most people. Many people are also fascinated by the science and engineering at play. Everyone on the beach and those who see your photos will be amazed and inspired at what you create.
Very young children often do not have the patience to see a large sandcastle build through to completion, or the steady hand required for detailed work. For this reason, we require at least one adult (17 years and over) for each two children between 5-12 years.
Our Family & Whanau group lessons cater for mixed generation family groups combining adults and children. We encourage adults to participate in the whanau lessons. This opportunity to invest in your children will be an experience they will always remember and treasure the rest of their lives. There is something very rewarding and special about participating in a shared multi-generational activity where the whole family is actively engaged and enjoying themselves.
Our Circle of Friends lesson is exclusively for adults. We always carry small buckets and spades and basic sculpting tools for preschoolers, who usually play very happily in the sand alongside, copying Mum and Dad and their older siblings.
When should we take Sandcastle lessons?
We recommend taking your Sandcastle lesson early in your holiday, or the summer season. This allows you and your whanau or friends plenty of time to continue to practice the techniques you have learned. Who knows what kind of memories in sand your whanau might create in just one holiday!
How physical is sandcastle building?
Reasonably physical. Sand sculpting requires sand that needs initial digging and shovelling, and water that needs to be carried in buckets from the sea to the build site. Thankfully, the results will be amazing! In our experience, everyone will have an awesome time! We will attempt to schedule the build time, and location on the beach to minimize the distance to water. You will be kneeling in the sand for most of the build.
How do I make a booking?
All bookings are made through the interactive booking calendar on the website.
What do we need to bring to our lesson?
We will provide all the buckets, sandshaping forms and tools, and sculpting tools that you will require.
All that you need to bring are the things you would normally take to the beach, depending on whether you are just coming for the lesson, or staying at the beach for the day. We recommend towels, sunscreen, swimsuit, a hat and sunglasses for everyone, drinks, and possibly food if you are planning an all-day outing.
Our lesson locations are chosen to be close to toilets and change facilities, and café or shops or similar.
Will there be toilets?
Yes, all of our locations have toilets and change facilities close by.
Can we take photos?
Of course. We recommend that you keep your phone in a plastic ziplock bag. We will also take photos of your build which we will send you after the lesson has completed.
What Covid precautions do you take?
Our lessons are held completely outdoors, on an open area of the beach. Our tutors are fully vaccinated. You will be required to scan our QR code at the beginning of the lesson, to assist with any potential contact tracing. If you wish to wear a mask during your lesson, you are welcome to do so.
