The Benedictine College Concrete Canoe Club
For the second consecutive year, the Concrete Canoe Club traveled to compete regionally against other colleges and universities.
Though it may sound counterintuitive, a group of engineering students at Benedictine college successfully built a canoe out of concrete. In fact, schools across the nation do this every year. Clubs from colleges of all sizes gather for regional and national competitions, racing the canoes and giving reports on their process.
After 2020, the club fizzled out until junior Becca Madden revived it for the 2023-2024 academic year. According to Madden, captain for the second year in a row, great improvements were made the second time around.
“I think one of the biggest changes is just we actually knew what we were doing this year, because last year we were starting from scratch,” Madden said. “No one knew what to do for everything. It was all trial and error.”
Notably, the captains explained changes to the design of the canoe itself. This year, the team opted for a lighter mix and smoothed the outside of the canoe, aiming to reduce drag and improve the aesthetics.
This year, with some experience under their belts, the team set loftier goals for themselves.
“Last time, we wanted to go to the competition, we wanted to win, of course, but the intention was just to make sure it floats and get out there and have a good time,” Joseph Campbell, sophomore hull design captain, said. “This year, now that we trust our process and all of that, we were really going for a lot more prestigious in the first-place trophies.”
Paul Hanson, who oversaw the report, expanded on the desire to aim for victory.
“We wanted to represent Benedictine and show up all the big D1 schools at the competition,” Hanson said. “Which we almost did.”
This year, according to Campbell, the team was consistently one of the best on the racecourse, coming in second and third place in multiple races. Given their resources, especially when compared to the large engineering departments present at the competition, the captains were pleased with the results and look toward next year with big plans.
“Obviously the team can’t continue to grow and improve if we’re the three doing everything and making all the decisions,” Madden said. “So next year we’re electing to give other people more leadership roles, give them a chance to pitch in with their ideas so that we can make our canoe better. And that way, in the years to come, we have more people learning what to do and they can take over and then the program keep going.”
“Overall in the competition last year we got fifth,” Campbell said. “This year we got fourth. We’re going to make podium next year, hopefully going for that first prize.”
Considering the scope of the competition, with schools like Missouri S&T in the running (and placed just barely ahead of the Benedictine team), the club’s accomplishments so far have been promising. As Madden, Campbell, and Hanson prepare to expand leadership and implement what they’ve learned next year, the future of the club looks bright.