What is ConCrete Canoe?

Like how does it even float? I still don’t know, and am extremely confused

Since 1996 the Canadian National Concrete Canoe Competition has attracted bright and ambitious engineering students from across Canada. This specific competition will host over 120 students from 13+ post-secondary schools, but it also takes place at the same time and location as the Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition.

By being a part of this team, students are given the opportunity to apply the different ideas and concepts taught throughout their degree in an applicable engineering problem. Additionally, this project involves gaining hands-on experience that students don’t always have the chance to attain throughout their degree.

The purpose of this competition is to construct a fully functional canoe made out of concrete. Not only does the canoe need to be able to float by itself, but it also needs to support the weight of the team’s four rowers. Besides needing the concrete to float, there are many other aspects of designing this canoe that our various sections tackle. Configuring the shape of our canoe hull, constructing the canoe’s mold and shipping container, and developing the theme, name and aesthetics of the canoe are a few examples of all the additional work that goes into this project. Besides the actual manufacturing of the canoe, there are several other sections that students can get involved in like coordinating sponsorship, running our social media accounts or planning fundraisers.