Eight teams battle the tide at Falmouth’s Maenporth sand race

There is a moment in every Beat the Tide Race when a team looks at the mound of sand they have just spent an hour building, looks at the water creeping in around it, and has to decide whether to keep digging or start swimming. This year, eight teams at Maenporth Beach got to make that call all over again.

The Falmouth Town Mayor’s Beat the Tide Race returned for 2026, and despite conditions that the organisers themselves admitted were “less than ideal” at the start, all eight teams turned out, got stuck in, and built their mounds against the incoming sea.

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

Eight teams, one incoming tide

The idea behind the race is simple and slightly ridiculous. Teams pile sand into a mound on the beach at Maenporth, then stand on top of it as the tide comes in, seeing who can hold their ground the longest as the water rises around them. It rewards a good shovel arm, some clever engineering, and a fair amount of nerve.

Weather aside, Falmouth Town Council, which organises the event, said the turnout was what made the afternoon. Eight teams built, defended and eventually lost their mounds to the sea, cheered on by families and friends gathered along the beach.

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

The 2026 results

When the water had finally won, the standings for this year’s race were confirmed as:

1. Nanjizal’s Minstrels
2. Titanic
3. Atkin Sand Squadron
4. Truro Lane
5. Giggadies
6. Massive Mound Mob
7. Longe Cote Mermaids
8. Frosties

Team names have always been half the fun of this event, and this year’s line-up was no exception.

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

Best Team Uniform

Alongside the main standings, there is a prize for Best Team Uniform, and this year it went to Atkin Sand Squadron, who finished third overall as well. Whether it was the matching shirts or the general commitment to the theme, the judges were won over.

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

Racing for a reason

The race is held each year in aid of the Town Mayor’s chosen charity, and for 2026 that is Pendennis Leisure, the charity working to bring a community swimming pool back to Falmouth. Every team taking part, and everyone who turned up to watch, was helping raise awareness and funds for that cause.

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

What the Mayor said

Falmouth Town Mayor, Cllr Alan Jewell, thanked everyone who took part despite the weather. “A huge thank you to every team who braved the weather and took part,” he said. “Seeing eight teams turn up in less-than-perfect conditions, ready to get stuck in and have some fun, was a brilliant reminder of the community spirit we have here in Falmouth.”

He added, “Events like this are made by the people who support them, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have a community that continues to show up, join in and support one another.”

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council

📷Credit: Falmouth Town Council