Posted on April 16, 2026 by Klesse College Staff
Ever since UT San Antonio competed in its first Concrete Canoe Competition in 1989, this event has been a yearly staple for Klesse College students, providing them with the opportunity to put their engineering skills to the test while also meeting other students with similar interests. Throughout this project, students form lasting bonds with their peers while learning valuable skills, such as concrete mix design and project management, in an environment outside the classroom. The team has been preparing months in advance for this moment, and we are thrilled to see all their hard work pay off when the competition is held.
This event, which challenges students to design and fabricate a canoe entirely out of concrete, is hosted yearly by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Putting together a floating vessel entirely out of concrete may sound counterintuitive, but that is part of the challenge and the fun. Students must use their skills and engineering knowledge to create a canoe that is not only strong and buoyant, but is also lightweight enough so that it can move fast on water. The Klesse College team will be competing against teams from other universities across the country, and will be judged based on the design process, creativity, and overall presentation. Following the initial judging, all teams will participate in a race, adding an athletic element to the mix in addition to the engineering elements.
This year, the team has put together a canoe that weighs over 400 pounds and is close to 19 feet long. They will be traveling out to Corpus Christi Bay to compete, so let’s make sure we all cheer them on as they prepare to take part in this fun and exciting competition.
Click the link down below learn more about the ASCE-UTSA chapter and learn how you can get involved!
— Klesse College Staff
