The series is set on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.
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It’s one thing to go against the grain when it comes to popular opinion. Another is to literally go upstream in a high-stakes competition. But that’s exactly what contestants are doing on CBC’s new unscripted show.
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Hosted by comedian Shaun Majumder, Race Against the Tide features 10 teams of two accomplished sand sculptors performing elaborate works of art before the world’s highest tide in New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy inevitably carries them away.
Deeply reflected on, it is a comment on the fleeting nature of life and of us mortals as we try to make our mark on it. Come back from that metaphor, and it’s just fun to watch. Majumder spoke to Postmedia News about Race Against the Tide, which airs Thursdays on CBC and airs on CBC Gem.
Q: What attracted you to this show?
A: The fact that I planned to drive from California to Newfoundland to escape the pandemic at the same time that Marblemedia was heading into production of this new series was my signal from the universe that I had to. The premise of the show was so funny and completely original that the 10-year-old inside me said, “Dude! That sounds great! “
Q: Was it what you expected?
A: To be completely honest, I really didn’t even know what to expect in terms of how talented the artists were. I said to myself: “Are they getting fans? What level are they at? How good can these sculptures be? “
The results blew me away. These artists are so amazing. His ability to create such beautiful works of art in such a short amount of time, only to be swallowed up by the tide six hours after they started, was insane.
Q: Did you sculpt sand castles as a child?
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A: I hate being that guy, but in defense of these artists, they are much more than sand castle sculptors. These competitors are truly world-class artists who create masterpieces using only sand and water. He lived in Newfoundland, so he just piled up rocks. It is not the same, but in my mind it could make a beautiful pile.
Q: What surprised you about the process?
A: The Pound Up! Sounds like something that happens on George Street when one guy calls another guy damn. But no. The Pound Up is how they start the process. They fill wooden shapes with as much sand as they can, squeeze it hard, then make another shape on top and squeeze it, and so on, up and up. Then they break up the shapes and hope the sand doesn’t collapse, and then they cut to create their masterpiece. It is amazing to see.
Q: What was it like filming in the Bay of Fundy?
A: I was amazed at how impressive that part of New Brunswick was. He knew the tides were extreme in the Bay of Fundy, but had no idea how extreme. Fifty foot swings in the tide. Truly a wonder of the world. There were many challenges due to the ever-changing weather, from wind to rain to hot and cold. Each and every one of the elements affected the artists’ approach to their work. As a result, there were definitely some sculpture collapses that were heartbreaking to witness.
Q: Have you been inspired to perfect your sand castle techniques?
A: Well, as a parent of a two-year-old and another on the way, I feel like I now have a beach parenting advantage. I got inside information on techniques and strategy. I could change my name to Sandy.
Race Against the Tide airs Thursdays on CBC and airs on CBC Gem.
Reference-o.canada.com