CITY FOCUS:Expert talks sandcastles

A thick marine layer couldn’t keep kids away from a morning sandcastle workshop May 19 on Main Beach held by the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library.

Sandcastle expert Ray Karch taught kids and parents how to build a better castle, followed by a team contest.

Kids learned the proper use of molds and forms, as well as basic carving techniques like towers, walls and windows.

Kids then divided into teams and made their own creations.

Karch won the 1999 U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in San Diego with his replica of Queen Amidala’s Palace from “Star Wars: Episode I.”

Other award-winning efforts included scenes from “Shrek” and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, complete with Quidditch field and a Whomping Willow made of coral.

He serves as a consultant and judge for contests throughout the region.