Those who design and construct massive sandcastles put in a great effort — only to see their structures return to the earth through the wind and waves. But while these masterpieces exist, they're towering testaments to what can be accomplished with a little sand, water, and skill.
And if you've wanted to step up your sandcastle game, you're in luck —
Sandcastle Building 101 is taking place at Ocean Beach on September 13 from 10 a.m.-noon. The free (donation-based) class for all ages takes your skills from the novice method of slamming a bucket upside-down into the expert's art
of sandcastles. Yes, this means you'll need more than a shovel and a pail; the host of the class (LEAP, a non-profit arts-in-education organization) suggests you also bring a spray bottle and carving tools to use, while sandcastle experts teach lessons on everything from how to lay the foundation of your castle to tips on how to win LEAP's annual sandcastle contest.
Speaking of LEAP's sandcastle contest, the annual event happens at Ocean Beach and this year's contest takes place on October 11 from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The contest is free to attend and you're welcome to contribute towards the community castle, but if you're a little more serious about your sandcastles, you can sign up with a team and compete for Best in Show.
If you're ready to hone your skill, you best sign up for
the class soon, it's limited to 50 spots; while if you're already set on pulling together a team, you can find more information on how to sign up for the contest at
leaparts.org.
