Southern Byways

Gotta Do This…Sandcastle Building Lessons Classes

by Apryl on June 7th, 2008

I’ve always wanted to learn the secrets behind making those incredible sandcastles that would make an any princess and dragon proud to call home. I  like the elaborate towers and arches. I would like even more if I knew how to do it. Now, I can (and so can you) with Northwest Florida master sand sculptor Mark Flynn. He is hosting Sandcastle Building Lessons on June 11, 12, 18 and 25 at Alys Beach, located in the Beaches of South Walton.

I wanted to know more about creating sandcastles, so I asked Mark Flynn a few questions:

SB: What tools are need to create good sandcastles

Mark Flynn: I suggest having a selection of straight edges and/or knives, cookie cutters, blocks of wood, paint brushes, trowels, buckets, a shovel, a spray bottle for water and a straw.

SB: What kind of sand is needed?

Mark Flynn: The ideal sand is clean of debris and fine grained with a mixture of silt and/or clay in the sand. This type of sand can be vary hard to find. If anyone knows of a source around the Emerald Coast, let me know.

SB: What are some mistakes people make when creating their sandcastle masterpiece?

Mark Flynn: The big mistake is trying to work with dry sand. It will not stick together. Our local beach sand cannot have too much water mixed in it, since it just seeps out the bottom rapidly. Keep adding water.

SB: What are some tips you can offer? 

Mark Flynn: Take the class! Watch and work with others for new ideas. Don’t rush. If your creation collapses, accept it as a learning experience and then adjust your method a little. Try variations. Another tip: thin strips of aluminum make great tools, and are frequently available at trophy shops. The aluminum does not rust, and can easily be bent into the desired shape. 

Photo credits: courtesy of Alys Beach

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POSTED IN: Beaches, Gotta Do This, Outdoors, Southern Byways, Things to See in Florida