The BBC has confirmed a brand new competition series, Race Against the Tide, where seven teams battle to build spectacular sand sculptures before the tide washes them away.
The six-part series launches in August and is hosted by comedian and Love Island narrator Iain Stirling.
Set against the backdrop of West Sands Beach in St Andrews, seven teams, made up of a professional sand sculptor and a complete newbie, race to create breathtaking sculptures.
The teams have six hours before the tide rolls in and must transform tonnes of sand into spectacular themed creations while battling the clock, the weather and each other.
Iain Stirling said: “I’m shore audiences are going to love Race Against the Tide! It’s got everything you could want from a summer show – stunning Scottish scenery, incredible creativity, and, of course, more sand puns than anyone asked for. I can’t wait for everyone to see what these teams create.”
Iain Stirling. BBC / Tern Television
Judging the sculptures are acclaimed artist and sculptor Sadie Clayton and internationally renowned sand sculptor Jamie Wardley. Together, they’ll be looking for outstanding technical skill, creativity, storytelling and the all-important wow factor before the tide sweeps each masterpiece away forever.
At the end of every challenge, one team earns the title of Sand Champions, while another pair must leave the beach.
David Marshall, creative director of Tern Television, commented: “People know St Andrews as the Home of Golf. We reckon it’s about time it became the home of giant sandcastles too. Race Against the Tide is funny, feel-good and might just be the greenest entertainment format in the world. It’s exactly the kind of bold, returnable entertainment that we’re investing in as Tern enters its next chapter.”
Steve Allen, commissioning executive at BBC Scotland added: “We’re delighted to be bringing Race Against the Tide to audiences this August. The series combines creativity, teamwork and real jeopardy against the spectacular backdrop of one of Scotland’s most iconic locations, West Sands Beach in St Andrews. It’s a feel-good competition that celebrates imagination and the great outdoors, and we’re sure it will bring a little extra sunshine to audiences this summer.”
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Race Against the Tide will air on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and iPlayer in August.
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