SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. — After putting their academic and athletic skills to the test in a grueling three-day battle at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 23rd annual National Concrete Canoe Competition, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo has claimed their first ever national title. The school’s win, in their 170-pound, white canoe, the Amazona, also marks the first time that a school has hosted and won the championship simultaneously.

Throughout the year, teams of civil engineering students from across the country and Canada logged thousands of hours researching, designing, and constructing their concrete canoes in search of the winning combination of creativity, knowledge, and teamwork. After coming out on top in regional competitions throughout the spring, the best and brightest from 22 top engineering schools matched wits and skills in the national finals.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo’s closest competitors were the University of Nevada-Reno and École de technologie supérieure (Montréal). The University of Nevada-Reno paddled into second place with their 230-pound, white, amber, and blue canoe, the Battle Born; and École de technologie supérieure finished a close third with their 180-pound, white, black, and brown canoe, the Montferrand. For their top finishes, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, the University of Nevada-Reno, and École de technologie supérieure earned $5,000, $2,500, and $1,500 in scholarship money, respectively.

The complete 2010 ranking is:
Rank — School (Canoe Name)
1st — California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Amazona)
2nd — University of Nevada-Reno (Battle Born)
3rd — École de technologie supérieure (Montferrand)
4th — Michigan Technological University (Yooper)
5th — University of Wisconsin-Madison (Centennial)
6th — The University of Alabama in Huntsville (Supercharger)
7th — Université Laval (The Norseman)
8th — San Jose State University (Orion)
9th — University of Akron (Lockkeeper)
10th — University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (Hess’s Warning)
11th — New Mexico State University (Billy the Kid)
12th — University of Washington (Tahoma)
13th — University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Flying Dutchman)
14th — Clemson University (Terra Amicus)
15th — University of Houston (Steer Clear)
16th — University of California, Los Angeles (Premiere)
17th (tie) — Fairmont State University (The Privateer); Louisiana Tech University (Deuces Wild); Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey (Orca); Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Rock ‘n Row); The University of Alabama (Spirit of 1831); University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (Space Bulls)

The competition is comprised of both academic and athletic events, and the scores are divided into four components which are each worth 25 percent of the team’s final score. Students write a paper detailing the design and construction of their canoe and then give an oral presentation on their year-long effort. They are also judged on their final product, the canoe, and their accompanying display, which further explains their design process. Finally, they put their canoe through the paces in a series of five race events — men’s and women’s slalom/endurance races and men’s, women’s, and co-ed sprint races.

The National Concrete Canoe Competition was made possible by sponsorships from World of Concrete, Baker Concrete Construction, U.S. Silica. Holcim, and Flatiron. For more information on the competition, including downloadable, high-resolution photos, race results, and event details, visit www.concretecanoe.asce.org.