‘B’ Street Pier
1140 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

2019 Winners
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Benjamin Probanza

Sculpting Since: 1988
Location: Mexico City

Born in Spain in 1963, Benjamin was attracted to art while still in the cradle.  While just a teenager, he performed painting exhibitions in his hometown of San Sebastian.

He discovered sand sculpting at 25, and has been a leading figure in this art ever since.  In 1997, he participated in the first International Competition in the Canary Islands and took 2nd place.  (He has won dozens of awards since then.)  In 1998, he began consulting and producing festivals around the globe.  He has left his mark in places as diverse as Belgium and Indonesia, Holland and Colombia, Mexico and Qatar, the U.S. and China.

In addition to sand sculpting, Sr. Probanza works in stop-motion animation with sand, clay and other materials.  He builds miniature models and does macro-photography.  He’s into toy design and new technologies.  He is certainly one of the most interesting men in the world, and may well be the model for a new Marvel superhero.

Major Achievements:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award from World Sand Sculpture Association – 2003
  • 2014 – 1st prize, Key West, FL
  • 2012 – 2nd prize, Treasure Island, St. Petersburg, FL
  • 2010 – 1st prize, Treasure Island
  • 2009 – 2nd prize, Vancouver, B.C.
  • Many many additional awards over a span of more than 20 years

USSSC + DAE is cancelled.

It was our great honor to have produced this iconic event for 8 years.  USA Today had named it to the ‘Top 10 in the Nation’ and American Express called it ‘one of the top 20 seaside festivals in the world’.

Hundreds of millions of media impressions were registered worldwide and over 40,000 attended the festivities each year on the downtown San Diego embarcadero. 

We thank the Master Sand Artists from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas who created magnificent sculptures from nothing more than sand and water, as well as the artists who work in other media, the entertainers, food providers, sponsors, media, staff, suppliers, volunteers and the Port of San Diego who made the event possible.

Should a title sponsor or new production company wish to bring it back to benefit local non-profits and the Southern California community at large, we will endeavor to help advise as long as we are able. 

For now, enjoy the website from years past.*

Thank you once more.

Joyce and Gordon Summer, Executive Producers

on behalf of Bruce, Tricia, Steve and the entire USSSC team.

This Website sculpted one grain at a time by Web Services Management.