AIARE + SCCAF Coastal Foundations
Sandcastle Classic
Event Title: Coastal Foundations Sandcastle Classic
Date: July 18th, 2026
Time: 12-4pm (plan around low tide 2:30 pm)
Location: Doran Beach Sonoma County Regional Park
Parking: $7 fee for parking day pass or Yearly parks pass
Team Makeup:
Teams of up to 4 students (K-12) and 1 or 2 coordinator chaperone volunteers – unlimited support members allowed.
Limit to 10 teams
Our group will have a reserved day use spot close to the beach for our Safety and Staging Zone (more details to follow).
Build Rules: (Modelled after Leap Classic rules)
Building sites will be 12’ x 12’with adjacent “staging” or team support area for any tents or lunch setup that you might have. These spaces will be marked prior to your arrival. Teams MUST NOT build beyond their site parameters. Absolutely NO digging in your 12’ x 12’ plot until the competition starts. There will be a central corridor between your staging area and your sandcastle site for the public to view the castles. It will be marked with orange cones. We appreciate your help in keeping a clear lane for viewing. No prior experience necessary, but we will be hosting a “How To Build” + Best Practices Workshop on Friday, May 11 at 12:00pm via Zoom – Pre-register here>>
Materials in the final sand structure are limited to:
- Water (in any form, including ice and dry ice, sand, biodegradable materials found on Doran Beach during competition hours.
- Only handheld or human-powered tools are acceptable during the build process.
- NO generators are allowed at any time on the beach.
- NO wooden forms or substructures are allowed to support the structure/sand in the finished form.
- NO professional sandcastle consulting or assistance is allowed.
- This is an amateur event that benefits the kids and encourages collaboration and innovation. Any team using professional help will be disqualified.
Resource List and other information provided by LEAP Education Sandcastle Classic
Sonoma County Architectural Foundation EIN: 84-4404079
Summary List of Suggested Tools:
- 1 Shade Tent
- 1-2 Utility Tubs
- 3 5 gallon buckets
- 3 smaller buckets
- 1 concrete Rake
- 2 Shovels
- 2 smaller Kid size shovels
- 1 Caulking spoon/Trowel
- 1 Metal Garden Rake
- 2 Plastic putty knives
- 2 brushes
- 2 spray bottles
- 2 garden trowels
- 2 wood floats
- 2 joint compound knives