ASCE Student Groups have been involved in constructing and racing concrete canoes on the local and regional (now conference) level since the early 1970’s. The first National Competition came to fruition in the summer of 1988 after almost two years of discussion between representatives from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Master Builders, Inc. (now known as BASF Construction Chemicals, LLC.). The objectives of the National Competition are as follows:

• To provide civil engineering students an opportunity to gain hands-on, practical experience and leadership skills by working with concrete mix designs and project management.
• To increase awareness of the value and benefits of ASCE membership among civil engineering students and faculty in order to foster lifelong membership and participation in the Society.
• To build awareness of the versatility and durability of concrete as a construction material among civil engineering students, educators and practitioners, as well as the general public.
• To build awareness of concrete technology and application among civil engineering students, educators and practitioners, as well as the general concrete industry.
• To increase awareness among industry leaders, opinion makers and the general public of civil engineering as a dynamic and innovative profession essential to society.
• To generate and increase awareness of ASCE’s and national sponsors’ commitment to civil engineering education among civil engineering students, educators and practitioners, as well as the general public.

The Regional and National Concrete Canoe Compeitions are held annually during the Spring semester. Each school compete on their concrete canoe's design paper, oral presentation, floatability, aesthetics, and their ability to race on their concrete canoe.

The 2009 New England Regional Concrete Canoe Competition was held successfully here at UMass on Friday, April 17th - Sunday, April 19th. The schools participants are as follow:

1. Université Laval
2. University of Connecticut
3. University of Maine
4. University of Massachusetss Amherst
5. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
6. University of Massachusetts Lowell
7. University of New Hampshire
8. University of New Haven
9. University of Rhode Island
10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
11. Nassau Community College (only competed in the paddling races)
12. Northestern University (unable to attend at the last minute)

The display and oral presentation were held at UMass Engineering Lab II on Friday afternoon, the paddling races at lake Wyola on Saturday, and the Award Ceremony at the Campus Center on Sunday morning. A great number of Civil and Enviromental Engineering Faculty were present at the paddling race including Dr. Palmer, Dr. Ho, Dr. Awade, Dr. Civjan, Dr. Ergas, and Dr. Ahlfeld. Jodi Ozdarski of CEE were also there to witness the event.

The 2009 UMass ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition Results:

• 2009: 7th place out of 11 teams (Held at UMass)
Design Captains: David Fortin & Kelly Shanahan
Canoe Name: Baron von Swan

Here are the past UMass ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition results:

• 2008: Tie for 5th place out of 6 teams in the New England Regional Competition (Held at Universite of Laval).
Design Captains: Kimberly Rudy & Jeffrey Seymore
Canoe Name: Kingcrete

• 2007: 6th out of 12 teams in the New England Regional Competition (held at the Wentworth Institution of Technology).
Design Captains: Josh Rubero & Brian Misterka
Canoe Name: Maroon & Might

• 2006:
Desing Captain: Elsbeth Hearn
Canoe Name: Magnum

• 2005:
Design Captain: Mike Mitchell
Canoe Name: Blazing Paddles

• 2004: First place in the New England Region and a trip to Washington, D.C.
Design Captain: Andrew Jeffrey
Canoe Name: Great White

• 2009 NECCC Final Score Sheets

All the past canoes