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April 29, 2009

SNCA Increases Support for National Champion Concrete Canoe Team

(RENO,NV) -- The Sierra Nevada Concrete Association has bolstered its sponsorship of the University of Nevada Concrete Canoe Team in its quest for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) National Concrete Canoe Championship. The Wolf Pack paddlers finished second in regional races held earlier this month in Sparks, qualifying them for this year’s national competition which will take place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in June. The Wolf Pack is the defending champion.
“The competition provides civil engineering students an opportunity to gain hands-on, practical experience and leadership skills by working with concrete mix designs and project management,” said Cemex’s John Ross, President of Sierra Nevada Concrete Association.
The SNCA made a $1,000 contribution to the Nevada Canoe Team last month during the 2009 Concrete Expo and helped sponsor the competitors’ lunch at the Mid-Pacific Regional Competition which were held at the University and the Sparks Marina. The SNCA has added another $1,000 to help with travel expenses to the finals.
Each year the society invites thousands of engineering students from around the world to design, build, and paddle canoes made from concrete. The student-built boats are judged in four categories: overall appearance, technical design paper, oral presentation and paddling. The top three teams at the national competition win $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 scholarships for first, second and third place, respectively.
Although concrete is known as a modern day construction material, the history of concrete vessels actually dates back over 150 years. Despite historical failures to construct resilient concrete war ships, modern day engineering students test their abilities to overcome the challenges of constructing a durable concrete canoe.
“While the intent of the competition is to learn and to create a forum for interaction both technically and socially, the students are a short step from being practicing engineers involved in projects that are critical to society’s welfare,” Ross said.
For more information on the Nevada Concrete Canoe Team log on to www.nevadacanoe.com

The Sierra Nevada Sierra Nevada Concrete Association (SNCA) is an active force in promoting the use of quality concrete for all types of construction, and to benefit all aspects of the community. The SNCA provides public officials, engineers, architects and private developers with access to information on any questions regarding concrete in the Northern Nevada/California region.