Concrete Canoe Race

“Wheatland Express” Competes in National Concrete Canoe Race

Congratulations to the WSU student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE). They are participating in the ASCE’s national concrete canoe competition this weekend on Lake Sammamish in Seattle.

Earlier this spring, the WSU team, made up of 16 civil engineering students, won the regional competition with their “Wheatland Express,” qualifying them for the national competition that includes 22 teams from throughout the US. The canoe is 19 feet long and weighs 300 pounds.

At this weekend’s competition, the canoes will first be measured, weighed, and judged on aesthetics. Teams will then be required to swamp their canoes to test floatation ability. The groups also do a professional presentation on their project to a panel of judges, including information on costs, design, and construction. On Saturday, the team will participate in races, including men’s and women’s sprints, distance races, and a co-ed sprint.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to gain experience in what they’ll need when they work as engineers – budget planning, presentation, design, and construction,” says Adrian Rodriguez-Marek, faculty advisor for WSU’s student chapter of ASCE. “And, it’s really, really fun to race a canoe made out of concrete.”

This year’s concrete canoe team captains are Michelle Bostrom and Brian Walkenhaur, who is also ASCE’s president. Other participating students include Craig Cordill, Brett Brown, Corey Wehr, Monica Blanchard, Teresa Coons and Chelsea Macomeer. Many other students also helped during the construction process. Faculty advisors are Shane Brown and Adrian Rodriguez-Marek.

WSU competes in national Concrete Canoe Race