The Road to B Street

By Morgan M. Hurley | Editor

U.S. Sandsculpting Competition returns to the Embarcadero

This weekend the fourth annual U.S. Sand Sculpting Competition (USSSC) and Dimensional Art Exposition will hit the shores of Downtown San Diego, with literally tons of special sand and dozens of sand sculpture artists, food trucks, three-dimensional art vendors, entertainment and more at the B Street Pier, located at 1130 N. Harbor Drive.

Greg Louganis, a native San Diegan and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, will also be making an appearance.

A master sand sculptor prepares the display that welcomes the U.S. Olympic “Road to Rio” tour to the U.S. Sand Sculpting Competition and Dimensional Art Exposition taking place this weekend on B Street Pier. (Photo by Jon Gebhart)

Last month HBO Sports released a documentary about the openly gay Olympian, called “Greg Louganis: Back on Board,” and it is currently in rotation on all HBO channels. The documentary tells the story of Louganis’ challenging life as a gay sports superstar, both before and after he publicly admitted he was not only gay, but HIV-positive.

Greg Louganis joins the USSSC by way of the “Road to Rio” tour, presented by U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) in conjunction with Liberty Mutual Insurance. The primary goals of the tour is to heighten awareness and anticipation of the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, give fans access to former Olympic athletes through meet-and-greets, interactive sport participation, and virtual-reality experiences.

San Diego is the second stop of the yearlong, nine-city tour, which started in Philadelphia and also includes Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis, Chicago and back to Boston for the Aug. 5 opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Truckloads of sand were delivered to the B Street Pier last week, in preparation for the competition. (Photo by Jon Gebhart)

In addition to Louganis, other Olympic legends attending include Susan Francia (rowing), Brenda Villa (water polo) and Nastia Liukin (gymnastics) as well as a number of other Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

“San Diego is a city with passionate Team USA fans, a deep Olympic history and decorated American athletes, making it an ideal city for the Road to Rio Tour presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance,” Lisa Baird, USOC chief marketing officer, said in a press release.

In addition to hosting this stop for the “Road to Rio,” the fourth annual USSSC and Dimensional Art Expo will once again bring a ton of sand for each sculpture to the B Street Pier to allow the best of the best in sand sculpting from all over the world to show off their skills in San Diego.

Finished product from last year's competition. (Photo courtesy USSSC) — Finished product from
last year’s competition. (Photo courtesy USSSC)

This year Ilya Filimontsev from Russia makes his debut in San Diego, and joining him are Helena Bangert from the Netherlands; Melineige Beauregard from Canada; Dan Belcher from St. Louis, Missouri; Michela Ciappini from Italy; Rusty Croft of Carmel, California; John Gowdy of both Italy and Atlantic City, New Jersey; Chris Guinto of Key West, Florida; Joris Kivits of the Netherlands and Mexico; Sandis Kondrats of Latvia and Seattle, Washington; Sue McGrew also of Seattle; Fergus Mulvany of Ireland; Bruce Phillips of Carlsbad, California; Kirk Rademaker of Stinson Beach, California; Morgan Rudluff of Santa Cruz; Susanne Ruseler of Holland; and reigning champion JOOheng Tan returning from Singapore.

In addition, dozens of three-dimensional artists — woodworking, metalwork, glass, clothing and jewelry — will be on hand, displaying their wares alongside the sand sculpting challenge, allowing attendees to leisurely pass the day. Live musical entertainment will take place at both ends of the pier, with more than 30 food trucks offering something for everyone.

Charities who benefit from the event include San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts; Young Audiences of San Diego / Arts for Learning; It’s All About the Kids Foundation; and Maritime Museum Children’s Education Programs. This is a family-friendly event with children’s rides and a beer garden.

Due to parking challenges, MTS is the encouraged method of transportation and riders will get a discount at the gate.

Louganis will be available and signing autographs on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Tickets to USSSC are just $9.99 (adults 12 – 62) in advance online, and $11 at the gate. For those wishing to attend all days tickets are $16.99 in advance and $19 at the gate. Seniors, children, and those with proof of MTS transit pass receive a $2 discount.

A sand sculptor works on this year's Road to Rio sponsor display. (Photo by Jon Gebhart) — A sand sculptor works on this year’s Road to Rio sponsor display. (Photo by Jon Gebhart)

For more information about the Road to Rio, visit tinyurl.com/ovkquc2. To learn more about the Master sand sculptors, the artists and the other entertainment at the USSSC, visit ussandsculpting.com.

—Reach Morgan M. Hurley at [email protected].