WHO says messing around with beach sand is for kids? From time to time, some adults, too, like to have a dig in the sand box.

Just ask the 650 motocross riders who took part in the 2008 Red Bull Knock Out beach race. It was held in Scheveningen in The Netherlands on 16 Nov.

They would probably say it was fun, but one of the toughest races in the world. Most do not even see the finish line. Out of the 650 competitors, only 102 completed the race.

Belgian Steve Ramon won the third Red Bull Knock Out, watched by as many as 150,000 spectators. Singapore, too, has had beach races, at Sentosa.

But in terms of size, this one is a different game altogether. The Europeans like their races "super-sized".

There is also the Le Touquet beach race, which started some 30 years ago in Northern France. A lap around the track there can be more than 12km long.

Riders face large obstacles in addition to the tough riding terrain.

Often, photographs show frustrated riders with their bikes stuck in sand dunes.

One Singapore-based racer, who knows the agony behind beach racing, is Mr Frank Crighton.

Since 1995, Mr Crighton has taken part in seven beach races - three at Le Touquet, which in 2006 was redesigned with safety in mind.

Said Mr Crighton, 38, regional manager with a sub-sea company: "It's a lot different from an enduro (endurance race) held in forests.

"If you make one mistake at high speed, you will pay for it."

Casualties of a race

Broken limbs, cracked rims and forks are common, after riders crash.

As the riders zip off from the start line, so do scores of medical personnel in ambulances.

Overhead, helicopter pilots direct medical staff and marshals to trouble spots, said Mr Crighton.

And you can be sure all this is required. When most riders travel at speeds between 120 and 160kmh, it does not take much to get injured.

With 1,000 riders at the 1km-wide start line at Le Touquet, massive pile-ups are expected as riders negotiate the first dune.

Said Mr Crighton: "You can be easily demoralised when you get a poor start. Almost immediately you will feel that you're being passed by hundreds of riders."

While some riders pace themselves in the opening stages of the race, Mr Crighton's strategy is to go "flat-out".

He said: "Within 20 minutes of the race, the track would have been decimated by 1,000 pairs of wheels. Getting a good line will be difficult if you're lagging behind.

"You have to gain the advantage when track conditions are good."

Beach races also attract big names like World Enduro Champion David Knight and 10-time World Motocross Champion Stefan Everts.

As many as 300,000 spectators come to see the champions, and of course, cheer their local heroes.

Yet, the professionals face the same harsh treatment - tugging handlebars with amateurs at the start of the race before disappearing into the lead, said Mr Crighton.

The experience of being stuck in a sand dune is hard to forget.

Said Mr Crighton: "It feels like somebody is shovelling sand in your face when you're caught behind a rider who is spinning his rear wheel to get out of the soft sand.

"Marshals will help you but even they get tired when there are just too many (riders) who need help."

Participants are expected to have physical and mental stamina to last the three-hour race.

Tricky riding conditions require riders to stand-up almost everywhere on the track, said Mr Crighton.

While fit riders may be able to take the abuse, their bikes may not.

Overheating problems and engine seizures frequently happen in the high-revving race.

Added Mr Crighton: "At the end, you're just happy to finish and survive the race. You're so tired that you can't feel your limbs when you cross the finish line."

This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 22, 2008.