Life is a beach and so is Mark Flynn's office. Flynn, who teaches lessons on building sandcastles from Panama City Beach to Sandestin, said people should "raid the kitchen drawers" for tools, such as cookie cutters. His favorite thing to use is a frosting spatula. Flynn also advises sculptors to use as much sea water as possible since it drains easily, so make sure you have plenty of buckets and "someone with a strong back." He said it's impossible to use too much water.

Flynn turned his hobby of building sandcastles into a career after retiring from Civil Service at Eglin Air Force Base almost a decade ago. Now in his 60s, he still channels his inner child by playing in the sand and teaching lessons so others can do the same. Sand Odyssey provides lessons on building sandcastles, customized sand sculptures for weddings and special events, and team building exercises for corporate and government groups.

Flynn repeatedly has won the annual Sandcastle and Sand Sculpting Contest at Schooners, where he now comes out to demonstrate his craft during the annual Lobster Festival and Tournament. So don't worry about going up against him and his team in competition. Some of the pieces that Flynn creates can use an entire dump truck full of sand and take more than 36 hours to complete. Things he never leaves home without: sunscreen, a camera and a raincoat, just in case.

>>Read some tips for building your own sand masterpieces!