First look at Race Against the Tide the new sand sculpting competition series

Sand, sea and a race against the clock – first-look images have been released from the BBC's 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 on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in August and is hosted by BAFTA-winning Scottish comedian Iain Stirling. 

Set against the spectacular backdrop of West Sands Beach in St Andrews, seven teams, each made up of a professional sand sculptor and a complete newbie to the craft, race to create breathtaking sculptures.

With just six hours before the tide rolls in, the teams must transform tonnes of sand into spectacular themed creations while battling the clock, the weather and each other.

And with the weight of the sand and the ever-approaching tide, there's always the risk that both nerves and sculptures could collapse under the pressure!

While beach-ready Iain keeps the contestants entertained with plenty of sand puns along the way, he also has the important job of keeping an eye on the ever-ticking clock.

As the tide creeps closer, he waves the yellow flag to signal the halfway point before raising the red flag when just ten minutes remain, leaving teams in a race to finish their creations before the sea claims them!

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, above all, that 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. After six epic builds, only one team will be crowned the first-ever Race Against the Tide champions.

The competing newbies come from a wide range of backgrounds, including a leather craftsman, cake decorator, plasterer, stationery designer, carpenter, art teacher and fine art student – but will their creative talents translate to sand or will victory slip through their fingers?

Iain Stirling says: "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, lots of sand puns - you can be shore of that. I can't wait for everyone to see what our teams create.”

David Marshall, Creative Director of Tern Television, said: "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 said: 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."

Ricky Cooper, BBC Commissioning Editor said: "With the phenomenal Iain Stirling overseeing the action, Race Against the Tide is an escapist romp of a competition that delivers epic builds, mind-blowing creativity and - just when you least expect it - gut-wrenching collapses.  I hope the series inspires families everywhere to dig out their buckets and spades, get down to the beach or sand pit, and discover the joy of creating something incredible from just sand and water."

Race Against the Tide is the first UK adaptation of the hit format created by Blue Ant Studios, originally produced for CBC in Canada.

The series is made by Tern, a Zinc Media Company. Executive Producers are Harry Bell and David Marshall. It was commissioned by Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland and Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events, Commissioning Executive is Steve Allen for BBC Scotland and the Commissioning Editor for BBC Factual Entertainment and Events is Ricky Cooper. The format was created and originally produced by Blue Ant Studios. Blue Ant Rights & Streaming oversees global distribution for the format and all international versions of the series.

Race Against The Tide is being made with the support of Screen Scotland.

RS

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