San Francisco’s Ocean Beach transformed into a pixelated playground this weekend, where elementary school students battled it out in the 43rd Annual Leap Sandcastle Classic.

The annual event, which brings together third to fifth graders from Bay Area schools, challenged participants to create sand sculptures inspired by the “Level Up” video game theme. While most teams crafted nostalgic gaming landscapes, one squad stood out from the crowd.

Crustacean Gaming Legends

Team CTRL + Crab from Daniel Webster Elementary School clinched the Best in Show award with their mind-blowing creation: two giant crabs engrossed in a Nintendo gaming session. Their meticulously crafted sand sculpture captured the imagination of judges and spectators alike, proving that creativity knows no bounds.

More Than Just Sand

This isn’t just another beach competition. The Leap Sandcastle Classic serves as a fundraiser for Leap Arts in Education, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting arts programming. Nearly 20 teams participated, each receiving assistance from local architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

Breaking Down Barriers

The event’s two-and-a-half-hour time limit adds an extra layer of excitement. Teams must transform their sandy canvas into intricate masterpieces before time runs out. And the best part? After judging, students gleefully demolish their creations, embodying the true spirit of playful creativity.

In a world where digital entertainment often dominates, these young artists remind us that imagination and teamwork can turn simple beach sand into extraordinary art.