ASCE Concrete Canoe Race

Twenty-two student teams from colleges and universities across North America recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the 17th annual National Concrete Canoe Competition, organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers and largely sponsored by Degussa Admixtures Inc./Master Builders. The competition focuses on speed, design, construction and overall performance.

Ranging from a lithe 105 pounds to a hefty 350, the canoes came in a rainbow of colors created with admixtures or concrete stain, including baby blue, gunmetal gray and tiger-striped orange and black. One of the more adventuresome vessels even sported inlays fashioned from vinyl cutouts. Another was made up to look like a shark.

“Every year, these students apply their classroom knowledge to a practical problem — and prove that concrete is a remarkable and versatile building material,” says Degussa Admixtures president and CEO Mike Shydlowski. “Their work, during the competition and in the future, will have a tremendous impact on the building industry. This competition provides a unique opportunity for …civil engineering students as they develop the skills to turn an unlikely design into a viable product.”