RIT Concrete Canoe Put to the Test in National Contest this Weekend

U.S. competition in Philadelphia follows RIT’s regional win in April

Note: Digital photograph available

Fresh from victory in regional concrete canoe competition, Rochester Institute of Technology’s concrete canoe team travels to Philadelphia for nationals this weekend.

The 16th annual National Concrete Canoe Competition, June 20-22, features a "swamp test," distance and qualifying sprint races, and grand and petit sprint finals in co-ed, men’s and women’s categories. Twenty-four teams will compete.

In regionals on April 26 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, RIT finished first in the co-ed, men’s and women’s sprint categories, first in the women’s endurance challenge and third in the men’s endurance contest. RIT captured first place overall and a berth in nationals, hosted by Drexel University and sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers and Master Builders Inc.

"The team is very excited to be representing RIT against an elite list of other schools," says Maureen Valentine, team advisor and RIT associate professor of civil engineering technology/ environmental management and safety. "Students are approaching the competition with a sense of anticipation and fun."

RIT’s 20-foot-long, 130-pound craft features a new hull design, a patriotic color scheme and a stained image of a tiger, RIT’s mascot.