Sandcastle builders head to Corona del Mar State Beach to ‘explore the world’

From India’s Taj Mahal to the ancient Mayan city of Chichén-Itzá, amateur and professional sand sculptors carefully shaped and crafted their masterpieces on Corona del Mar State Beach to take their would-be tourists on a trip to “explore the world” as part of Newport Beach’s 59th annual sandcastle contest.

Competitors hit the sands early Sunday morning, armed with their teammates, tools and visions for adventure while onlookers looked on. This year’s theme was “Explore the World.”

The competition was organized by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and was sponsored this year by First Republic Bank and City of Hope Orange County.

The Doggie Walk Bags team created “Exploring the World of Animals” at the Newport Beach 59th annual sandcastle contest.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Nineteen teams competed Sunday for the Commodores Award for best overall creation, people’s choice, most unique sculpture, most unique castle, most humorous, best display of theme and best creation in the juniors’ division.

The Doggie Walk Bags team emerged victorious as the overall winner of the competition with their sand sculpture, “Exploring the World of Animals.”

Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Rosansky said in an email Tuesday that winners in the remaining categories will be announced in the coming days.

The competition was canceled last year due to COVID-19, which Rosansky said was likely the first time that the chamber has had to do so since the competition began.

A crowd favorite, “Pool Sharks,” carved in the sand at Corona del Mar State Beach on Sunday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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