Why build sand castles? Well, because it is
fun, of course!
The above methods are all useful, but
there's another method of building sand castles that has much more
impressive results in the right sand. I don't claim to have
originated this method*,
but I've certainly used it enough.
This method works best if you build right at the tide line.
Of course, this means you really want to build when the
tide is going out. I like to start just before high tide.
- First, start by digging a hole. I usually use a shovel to help.
The goal is to dig deep enough to
hit the local water table. The closer to the tide line you start,
the less work this will be. And if you have to go too deep, it makes
building extra work. My castles usually end up as a ring of walls
surrounding the water filled hole, sort of like a backwards moat.
- Use the material pulled out of the hole to start a base. The
base
should be broad and well packed, and far away enough from the hole
that it won't fall in, but close enough that you can reach it easily
from the hole.
- Once the hole is deep enough to contain water, it will begin
collapsing
in on itself. Use the wet sand from the hole, and pile
it on your base in pancake like shapes. The pancakes should be
wet enough to almost be liquid.
You may have to hold the sides for a few
seconds while the water drains down through the sand layers.
Lay one pancake on top of the next,
and pretty soon you'll have a sand tower.
Don't slam the pancakes down, as it will weaken the rest of the tower.
- When the hole gets deep enough, it may be helpful to stick your
foot in it and stir it continuously, like a cement mixer.
Be careful to not pull the sand from the same side as the tower,
as you'll end up undermining the base of the tower.
- You can make walls similarly, by forming bricks with your hands
instead of pancakes.
- You can make arches by building two towers next to each other
at the same time. When the towers start reaching the limit of how high
you can build them, build so that they lean towards each other a bit.
When the tops are close enough together, lay down the keystone, on top
of both towers and between; use your hand to hold up the keystone while
it turns from liquid cement into the arch of your tower.
If it is a large keystone, it helps to have a second person support
it underneath while you put pancakes on top. You may need to gently
add a few pancakes on top and in the corners to stablize it.
- Of course, the towers, walls, and arches are just elements to
make a castle. Detail work can be done with tools such as knives, spades,
trowels, small paint brushes, carving tools, clay working tools, etc.
With these, you can make windows, balconies, staircases,
turrets, etc.
With a bit of
practice and a bit of
patience, you can amaze people.
These techniques work best in fine sand, but can work in
coarse sand with a bit more work.
I'd supply pictures, but mine would not do justice to the ones in the
book, listed below--I can't quite match the skills of the pros. If you'd like to see my beach pictures anyway,
/msg me.
*
Sand Castles, Step-by-Step
Lucinda Wierenga with Walter McDonald
ISBN 0-671-69611-4