Cal State Fullerton civil engineering students Jesus Velazquez and Daniel Macias have been working for months to design and construct a concrete canoe.
And as if that were not enough, they hope to become well-skilled in canoe paddling.
Velazquez and Macias, along with about 25 other CSUF civil engineering students, will put their creation to the test at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ annual National Concrete Canoe Competition, part of the society’s Pacific Southwest Conference.
While it may seem peculiar to build a canoe using concrete, a material probably thought of as heavy and unsuitable for flotation devices, concrete experts and engineers say the substance works fine when specially prepared for canoe construction.
The objective of the competition is to expose engineering students to real-life projects that at first glance are not straightforward. Students must come up with a concrete mix and reinforcements that will allow the canoe to float in water.
The ASCE regional conference is set for Cal State Long Beach from March 31-April 2. The canoe races will occur at Marine Stadium in Long Beach.
Velazquez and Macias, both 21, are co-captains of the CSUF concrete canoe team; they both participated in the team last year. They’re both also involved in the university’s ASCE chapter.
“This project means a lot to me,” Velazquez said. “I dedicate all my extra time into this canoe, along with many other dedicated members.”
The co-captains began the canoe-building process this summer by using a machine to test the endurance and strength of the concrete. Then, they began constructing the mold of the canoe.
The project is funded by off-campus sponsors; the CSUF College of Engineering and Computer Science; and student-run fundraisers.
“At the end of the competition, we’re hoping for the win,” Velazquez said.
Hands-on engineering experience
One lesson the team of student-engineers has already been exposed to is the importance of resilience.
Velazquez and Macias decided to start working on the canoe during the summer, sooner than work began on last year’s canoe. This decision became paramount after the two men were faced with complications during the initial concrete pouring.
The team’s initial canoe wasn’t up to par with what the co-captains had envisioned, so it was scrapped and the process began all over again.
Velazquez cited the combination of unforeseen warm weather and lack of team presence on the day the concrete was poured into the canoe mold as detrimental.
“It was a very hot day, so it affects how fast the concrete dries,” he said.
Because it was early enough in the process, they didn’t have to worry too much about having to reconstruct the canoe, Macias said.
The team is currently working on completing a new mold, in preparation for another attempt at pouring the concrete by the end of this month.
Once the concrete is poured, the team will cure it for 28 days, using a sprinkler system to keep it wet during that time. Without this process, the concrete will begin to separate and crack, Macias said.
Velazquez and Macias want to make this year’s canoe better than last year’s in two major ways. First, they want to make the canoe lighter, and second, they want to increase the amount of time spent practicing paddling.
The team members are aiming for the canoe to weigh about 200 pounds; last year’s was about 350 pounds.
They’re doing this by making a few modifications, including “creating different concrete mixes that are lighter but still maintain their strength,” Velazquez said.
Last year’s canoe was about three-fourths of an inch thick; this year, the goal is a half-inch. Modifications are also being made to the depth of the canoe.
“Every little bit counts,” Velazquez said. “It allows you to move better.”
The length of the canoe – 18 feet, 6 inches – will remain the same as last year’s canoe.
What students on the team find most interesting is the ability to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom into a real-life project, Macias said.
“It’s something we work on all year, and you get to see it come alive,” Macias said. “It’s a learning experience.”
Mastering canoe paddling
After the canoe is designed and built, the students will work on improving their canoe paddling skills – that is, if they even have any prior canoeing experience.
Aside from the design and construction of the canoe, the students will be scored on a written report and presentation at the ASCE student conference, as well as their participation in five canoe races in which they will compete against other universities in the region.
Most of the members had no experience paddling a canoe when they became involved with the CSUF concrete canoe team, Velazquez said.
When possible, the team practices paddling at Bonelli Park in San Dimas. The members practice synchronization, endurance and eventually will work on racing and going through obstacle courses.
Cheance Adair from the Southern California Outrigger Association recently led a paddling lesson for the students.
Aside from paddling, students must also learn to synchronize with one another, Macias said.
“It’s pretty hard to just go straight,” Macias said. “It’s even harder to turn. Everyone has to be in sync.”
They’re also trying different canoeing techniques such as sitting and paddling versus kneeling and paddling.
Besides the hands-on learning experience, Velazquez enjoys the teamwork that goes into a project of this size.
From the brainstorming stages and to the competition, no part of the project can be executed by a single person, he said.
“At the end of the (school) year, I hope that all the students are able to take pride in the final product and hope that underclassmen will be inspired to take on a larger role in the concrete canoe in the future,” Velazquez said.
Velazquez and Macias hope to have the canoe completed by February, at which point they will focus on the aesthetics of the canoe, as well as paddling and choosing the team members who will participate in the races.
The CSUF concrete canoe team will be competing April 1 at Marine Stadium in Long Beach during the ASCE student conference. Those who rank high in the regional competition will be invited to the national competition in June, which will be held at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Contact the writer: amarcos@ocregister.com
