Cal Poly Concrete Canoe Team Gearing Up for the Nationals in SLO County

University is Hosting ASCE National Competition June 17-19 at Lopez Lake

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly will host the 2010 American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition on June 17-19. As many as 500 students in 22 qualifying teams from universities around the U.S. and Canada will come to San Luis Obispo County to compete.

The public is welcome and encouraged to be a part of this exciting event. On Thursday, June 17, everyone is invited to view the competing canoes and to observe aesthetics judging from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the O’Neill Green next to the Business Building on campus.

All races will take place Saturday, June 19, at Lopez Lake, about half an hour southeast of Cal Poly. Races are expected to run 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. An awards banquet will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. that day.

The goal of the competition is both to provide students with a practical application of the engineering principles they learn in the classroom, while also challenging their knowledge, creativity and stamina, while showcasing the versatility and durability of concrete as a building material. Throughout the year, teams of civil engineering students logged thousands of hours researching, designing and constructing their concrete canoes in search of the winning combination of creativity, knowledge and teamwork.

The competition is academic and athletic, with each team’s score being based on engineering design and construction principles used in the creation of the canoe, as well as results from men’s, women’s and co-ed race events. Scores are divided into four components that are each worth 25 percent of the final tally: a design paper, an oral presentation, the final product and the results of five different races — men’s and women’s slalom/endurance races and men’s, women’s and co-ed sprint races.

The top three teams will receive scholarships worth $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500. The top five teams will receive a commemorative plaque or trophy.

Last year, the Cal Poly Concrete Canoe Team came in third place overall. This year, the team has worked hard both to plan the event as hosts and to construct the best possible canoe.

For additional information, including an event schedule and a list of participating schools and their crafts, visit http://nccc2010.calpoly.edu/events/.

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