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

2019 Winners
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Katsuhiko Chaen

Sculpting Since: 1987
Location: Japan

A 1983 graduate of Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Katsu has become one of the leading sand sculptors in the world.  He is also a renowned producer and director of amazing events that have been staged, not only in Japan, but also in Singapore, India, Kuwait, Italy, Holland, Canada and here in the U.S.

He has been honored as “One of 100 Japanese individuals the World Respects”.  In his home country, he pioneered modern sand sculpting when he founded the Fukiage-hame Sand Festival in 1987, which ran continuously until 2002.  Since 2006, he has been Executive Producer of the Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum, the only venue of its kind in the world.  In 2014 he brought together the world’s leading sculptors to participate in a ground-breaking Tri-National Celebration in Yokohama, featuring historical figures from Japan, South Korea and China.

The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge is itself honored to have Katsu come to San Diego to compete against other amazing sculptors worldwide and some of the best sculptors in our country.

Major Achievements:

  • 2015 – 2nd place, Bulgaria
  • 2013 – 2nd place and People’s Choice, Copenhagen
  • 2011 – People’s Choice, Slovakia
  • 2010 – 1st place, Virginia Beach and Matera, Italy
  • 2008 – 1st place, Harrison Hot Springs, Canada and Matera, Italy
  • 2006 – 2nd place doubles, Quebec
  • 1999 – 1st place, Singapore
  • Many more awards from around the globe

On the Web:  http://www.sand-museum.jp/en/?page_id=68

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.