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We all know they can be built. We've seen them. Cast, intricate works of architecture, brought forth by their builders from the sand that lines the edges of oceans, lakes and ponds. Why then do our efforts to build even the simplest sand structures often end up looking like a young baker's first effort at a layer cake? Usually because we're going about it the wrong way.
Sand Castling is attempted by many, but done well by far fewer. There are three factors that greatly influence the outcome of this cross between art and engineering: The sand, the process and the mindset of the builder.
SAND
There is a wide variety of our basic building material - the sand - available at any beach. The idea is to find the kind that is moist enough moisture to stick together, with being dry enough to maintain a form.
Usually, this will be found near the high-water line, and is at its best just after the tide has begun to move out.
In addition to being excellent sand for building, this area and timing also provides the widest time frame in which to work, and let others admire your results before the sea reclaims the beach.
Rocks, seaweed and other objects may be useful for decorating or embellishing the finished project, but they hinder the sand's ability to hold its shape and, as much as possible, should be kept out of the building material.
THE PROCESS
This is where most people make their mistake... It is difficult to impossible to build a castle from the bottom up. While molds are great for simple structures, or to stand alone, the sand you turned over out of the green bucket just isn't packed tightly enough to support the weight of another layer on top of it.
Ninety percent of the building process is actually sculpting the structure down from a larger pile.
Start by making a pile about a 12 to 18 inches high. How long and wide it is will depend on wht you want the final structure to look like.
Pack the pile down fairly hard, and smooth off the top so it is flat. If you want to use a mold to make the top of a tower, place it near one of the ends of the flat "base."
Now use the edge of a shovel - or a ruler or playing card - to "carve" down the rest of the side of the tower, and to form the walls of your castle. By moving down the pile in staircase fashion, you can create multiple levels, position additional tower molds, and otherwise exercise your creativity.
One benefit of working from the top down, is that you can decide to stop at almost any point, and what you have already done will appear as a complete structure, deliberately built atop the base formed by the remainder of the pile.
THE SAND CASTLING STATE OF MIND
Sand is, above all else, an extremely temporary medium with which to create. One of the most important facts to remember is that when you complete a sand castle, it matters not whether you don't like how it came out, or consider it your best work ever. In but a few hours, it will be gone, as the sea takes back the shore.
Each time you start building, and each step as you go along, will result in but a brief creation, which can be improved upon next time.
If something doesn't come out as planned, or a tower topples over, or a wall looks too jagged, don't despair - improvise. Just as the sea remains constantly in motion, so too must the creative vision of the sandcastler.
Remember, first and foremost, you are doing this to have fun. Keep a relaxed and stress-free outlook on the project, and enjoy yourself.
You'll be surprised at how soon people are coming up to YOU on the beach, and asking for pointers on building castles.
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