Several times a week, behind the Boca engineering building, a group of 15 students mix different concoctions of concrete in giant tubs and experiment with fiberglass. Their goal is to create a canoe that not only floats, but races.
“I took on this challenge because I knew it would be an exciting and fun competition that I would never forget,” says Victor Rosas, the team captain and a senior engineering major.

Last year’s canoe, named “Tons of Fun,” was molded using wood panels and Styrofoam, while this year’s model will have smoother design that uses fiberglass.

For many of the engineering students, this is their first time working with fiberglass. They pour concrete into a fiberglass mold to create the finished concrete canoe.

Rosas’ goal this year is to make the top five at the National Concrete Canoe Competition.

FAU has competed against some of the largest schools in the nation over the past few years. In 2008, FAU scored 15th out of 22 schools. Last year’s canoe weighed about 350 pounds, but this year they’re trying to make it lighter.
“We had to do a lot of stuff to the mix, and we’re shooting for 250 pounds,” says David Rundio, the row captain and a sophomore civil engineering major.

The teams are judged on several aspects. There are awards for everything from the design  and flotation to school spirit, best oral presentation and even racing.

There is a lot of work behind making a concrete canoe. Other than learning design software like AutoCAD, the members must also build something physical from an image design using plaster, fiberglass and other tools. Budgeting, project management, presentation and professionalism are also necessary to rank high in the competition.

To learn more about the Concrete Canoe Team or to join, e-mail captain Victor Rosas at [email protected] or visit the club’s Web site, www.asce.fau.edu/competition.html.