By Kelsey Kendall 

What does it take to make a couple hundred pounds of concrete float?  

That is the challenge Old Dominion University’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) team took on in preparation for the ASCE Virginias’ Student Symposium and Concrete Canoe Competition.  

The competition took place at Virginia Beach’s First Landing State Park, welcoming nearly a dozen teams from universities across Virginia and West Virginia. Their creations were placed in the water on Friday, April 10.  

Charlie Lemeni, a senior in civil engineering and co-team captain, told her teammates winning was not the goal. It was to build a canoe. Anything else was just extra, especially since the group’s canoe broke during transit last year. This year, things went more smoothly. 

Team places wet concrete on canoe mold

Old Dominion University's ASCE club worked on adding concrete to their canoe mold in preparation of the Concrete Canoe Competition at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. ODU Photo/ Michael DiBari

“I can’t even explain the thrill of the canoe being in the water and floating,” Charlie said.  

The project pushed the students to translate classroom theory into real-world engineering decision-making. The team of 10 had to consider the conditions on the water — would it be calm or choppy? — to determine the shape of the hull. The salinity impacted the materials used in the design. The students started with a computer design then translated the design to a foam mold, each piece of which had to be carefully measured and cut by hand to create the canoe shape.  

The team methodically refined its concrete mix through numerous test runs. Carefully and messily, they layered the mix onto the mold until they ended up with a canoe capable of floating.  

“I’m so proud of all the work they put in, the long hours, the grueling work that went in,” Charlie said. 

Logistical challenges, such as delays getting materials or disruptions to the team’s process, made getting the canoe ready for competition day difficult. Teamwork, dedication and resilience led to them getting out on the water.  

“Throughout this whole process, the team spirit never wavered, and I cannot overstate how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to work with them,” said Logan Parkinson, senior in civil engineering and team co-captain.