If you find yourself strolling on Balboa Island, make sure to stop by South Bay Front and Sapphire to check out Chris Crosson's latest sandcastle masterpiece! Last Saturday, I had the privilege of spending the day with Chris as he crafted a 14 foot Christmas tree from the sand.
Many locals are familiar with Chris's incredible sandcastle creations. His family bought a beach cottage on Agate Avenue in 1957 and Chris quickly turned the island into his playground. Throughout the years, building sandcastles became a cherished family tradition.
This all changed in 1995 when Chris entered the Newport Beach Sandcastle Contest at Big Corona Beach and won his first trophy. At the time, he was promoting his business, Doggie Walk Bags—bags for picking up after your furry friends that are placed all around the island. What started out as a single product in his garage quickly grew into a business with over 400 items, including baby diaper bags sold at Nordstroms.
Chris's love for sandcastle craftsmanship inspired him to create the Sandcastle Kit—a comprehensive set of tools neatly packed into a 5-gallon bucket, ready for creative beach adventures. Additionally, Chris shares his expertise through teaching sandcastle classes and corporate team building events. He has imparted his knowledge to groups of all sizes, ranging from two to 100 people aged between 4 and 80.
I'm so appreciative of people like Chris who are dedicated to making our community special for both locals and visitors. Thank you, Chris, and wishing you a Happy Holiday season! 🎄🎄
