Ambrosia-2014
Update Summer 2014
The Concrete Canoe Team places 2nd at the National Concrete Canoe Competition.
The competiton was held at the University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown in June. There were a total of 23 teams competing in the categories of design paper, oral presentation, final product, and paddling races.
The competition began with a rainy dislpay day. During this day, the judges viewed each team's canoes along with their display and were able to ask the team questions. The swamp test was also conducted. Cal Poly earned 2nd place in Final Product. Cal Poly also took 4th place in design paper and showed a strong performance before taking first place in the oral presentation. Paddlers also showed a strong performance by taking fifth place in women's endurance race and fourth place in the men's endurance.
Overall, Cal Poly's total score earned a second place national title. This win is due to the dedication and innovation of the captains but also the generous support of our sponsors, the Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, Cal Poly, and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. The team is also thankful for the help of our adisors and the volunteers throughout the year.
Sentinel-2013
Update Fall 2013
Cal Poly Takes Home Another Top Five Finish at Nationals!
The ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition encourages students to use innovative design and construction to create a concrete canoe that holds both aesthetic appeal and provides practicality and efficiency through sprint and endurance races on the water.
This year, Cal Poly competed against 23 other universities during nationals, held June 20th-22nd at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
After a thunderstorm caused three of the five races to be cancelled, Cal Poly still finished strong with a first place in final product, first place in men’s and women’s endurance race and second place in design paper. Although a time penalty lowered the team’s score in the presentation category, the team achieved their goal of a top five finish, placing fourth overall.
Currently standing, Cal Poly has placed in the top five at the past 8 National Competitions and 1st Overall for fourteen of the past 15 years at the regional competition (Pacific Southwest Division).
This year, the team was challenged with a rule change that removed the use of 3D analysis (formerly performed through Finite Element Analysis, FEA). The team instead computed strength results using over 50 strain gauges applied by hand to the canoe, along with hand calculations to verify the gauges and stress results.
The 2013 concrete canoe team could not have been successful without the amazing support and dedication of our generous sponsors, the Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, Cal Poly, and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Likewise, we are grateful for the advice and support of our advisors, volunteers, and our devoted paddlers. As a team and family, we thank you!
Prospector - 2012
Update Summer 2012
Cal Poly places first in the 2012 National Concrete Canoe Competition!
The 25th Annual ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition was in Reno, Nevada from June 14-16. Cal Poly was thankful for the short trip and the many supporters that were able to attend. The competition was tough this year, and there were many amazing canoes. Friday’s presentations were equally impressive. Saturday’s races were welcomed with great weather. Cal Poly took first place in both woman’s and men’s endurance, along with women’s sprint. Both men’s sprint and co-ed received second place.
The individual awards for the 2012 team include 1st place in the Oral Presentation, 1st place overall in the races, and 3rd place in the Design Report category. For the fourth consecutive year Cal Poly also placed 1st in Final Product. With this years 1st place finish, Cal Poly has been National Champions three consecutive years and top 5 at the National Competition 7 years running. This year’s team is very proud of their accomplishments and looks forward to what next years team can do.
The 2012 concrete canoe team could not have been successful without the tremendous support and dedication of our generous sponsors, the Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, Cal Poly, the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, our advisors, volunteers, supporters, and our devoted paddlers. We thank you!
Update March 29, 2012
The 2012 Cal Poly Concrete Canoe Team has successfully defended their title at the Pacific Southwest Conference! The team completely swept the competition, earning first place in final product, design paper, oral presentation and 5 out of 5 races. The team will now move on to the national competition held June 14-16 in Reno, Nevada. During spring quarter, captains will remain busy fine-tuning the design paper and oral presentation, while our paddlers continue working out and practicing to get ready for the stiff competition in Reno. The team is confident as nationals approaches, and can’t wait to check out the other canoes at the competition. Check back with us after the national competition (June 19 or later) to find out the results!
Cetacea - 2011
Update Summer 2011
Cal Poly places first in the 2011 National Concrete Canoe Competition!
The 24th Annual ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition took place in Evansville, Indiana from June 16-18. Cal Poly had one of the longest trips of all the teams, but 40 people made it out to Indiana to support the team. The competition was stiff this year, as there were many truly amazing canoes on display Thursday. On Friday, the team gave their oral presentation and answered some questions from the panel of judges. After a slight delay out at the lake on Saturday due to thunderstorms, the team raced in the co-ed, women’s, and men’s sprint. The weather stayed clear, so the coordinators set up a modified endurance course using the sprint buoys for the slalom. Cal Poly took 2nd place in every race except the men’s sprint, where they took 4th.
The individual awards for the 2011 team include 4th place in the Design Report category, 2nd place in the Oral Presentation, and 2nd place overall in the races. Cal Poly also placed 1st in Final Product for the third consecutive year. This also marks the sixth year in a row that Cal Poly has placed in the top 5 at the National Competition. The team is truly honored to have been awarded first place overall and they are excited to see what next year’s team has in store.
The 2011 concrete canoe team could not have been successful without the tremendous support and dedication of our generous sponsors, the Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, Cal Poly, the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, our advisors, volunteers, supporters, and our devoted paddlers. We thank you!
Update May 16, 2011
After a year full of hard work and much adversity, the 2011 concrete canoe team successfully defended their title at the Pacific Southwest Conference, earning a spot at the national competition. With positions of 1st in the design report, oral presentation, final product and 4 out of 5 races, it was one of the best showings in recent memory. The team is now preparing for nationals by upgrading the design report and oral presentation. The paddlers are also getting into tip-top shape to be ready for the stiff competition they are sure to encounter in Evansville this year. From the looks of it, this may be one of the toughest national competitions ever, and we are prepared to step up to the challenge. Check back with us after the national competition (~ June 19) to see how we did!
Amazona - 2010
Update 6-21-10
Cal Poly places first in the 2010 National Concrete Canoe Competition!
This is the first time Cal Poly has taken home this national title and the first time a school has simultaneously hosted the competition and won. The team took first place in final product, oral presentation, and races while taking second place in the design paper.
On behalf of the concrete canoe team, we thank all of the judges, ASCE, the NCCC Committee, the NCCC Student Committee, ALL volunteers, sponsors, and fans. We couldn't have done this without your continuous support you provide to us and the school. Thank you!
Update 4-12-10
Cal Poly placed 1st in the concrete canoe competition at the Pacific Southwest Regional Conference. The team won a 1st place in final product, all races, and presentation, with a 3rd place finish in the design paper. Due to high winds and waves, the co-ed sprint race was not completed. All races were cancelled for the rest of the day when 4 of 5 canoes in heat 1, took on water and did not complete the race.
Update 03-17-10
In 3 weeks we'll be competing in the PSWRC!!! The team is hard at work to make another amazing canoe. Stay tuned to see what we have in our bag of goodies.
Update 10-5-09
Last Saturday, the concrete canoe team held its first paddling practice for the year! About 30 participants came out to Laguna Lake for a fun and eventful morning. Practices will be held every weekend from here on out, so if you missed the first there's more to come. Thank you to everyone who came out, and made it a successful first practice.
Vintage - 2009
Update 8-17-09
Cal Poly Concrete Canoe finishes another successful year with a Top 5 placing at the 22nd National Concrete Canoe Competition. In the four judged categories of races, technical presentation, design report, and final product, Cal Poly received 2nd, 6th, 3rd, and 1st, respectively, leading to an overall rank of 3rd in the nation. This marks the fourth straight year where Cal Poly has finished Top 5 in the nation.
This success could not have been realized without the dedicated support of ours sponsors. Additionally, Concrete Canoe Advisors, Dr. Hall and Dr. Kasper (professors in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department), contributed a significant number of hours year in and out for the last 6 years. Their encouragement and inspiration is a cornerstone to the Cal Poly Concrete Canoe Program.
On behalf of all of the Concrete Canoe Captains and SCE members, thank you for the opportunity to compete and experience this project. “It’s a project that will never be far from your memory, regardless of how old you are and how hard you try,” Kyle Marshall, 2009 Concrete Canoe Project Manager.
Update 6-27-09
The team is back from an excellent trip to the National Competition in Tuscalossa, Alabama. The team placed third overall and had impressive showings in all categories.
The team placed first in Final Product, Second in overall race points, third in Design Paper, and sixth in the Technical Presentation.
Watch this space in the coming weeks for pictures and updates.
Update 4-23-09
Check us out on The Concrete Producer Website. An exclusive interview with our very own Kyle Marshall.
And an aritcle about the Concrete Canoes at the World of Concrete.
Update 4-8-09
Hawaii was a huge sucess. This year's canoe, Vintage, took first place overall. Individual awards include First place in Final Product, Design Paper, and Presentation as well as one first, three second, and one third place finish at the Races. The team is heading to the National Competition in Tuscaloosa in June. Thank you to everyone who helped make this win possible.
Update 12-29-08
As we enter the second quarter we are making final adjustments before the construction of the final canoe, having cast our practice canoe at the end of finals week. The team is busy making and testing samples , as well as working on our paper and presentation in preparation for our competition in April.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the construction of our practice canoe, without your help we would not have the success we do.