CONCORDIA CONCRETE CANOE TEAM

The Canadian National Concrete Canoe Competition (CNCCC) is a unique and challenging annual event that brings together engineering students from universities across Canada. Participating teams are tasked with designing and building a full-sized canoe made entirely from concrete, an impressive feat of both structural ingenuity and material science. Throughout the academic year, students apply classroom knowledge to real-world design as they experiment with innovative concrete mixes, lightweight aggregates, and sustainable materials. Once complete, each canoe must pass a “swamp test” to prove it can float even when fully submerged and then compete in a series of sprint races on open water.

But the CNCCC is not only about the final race. The competition also emphasizes technical excellence, project management, and communication skills. Teams are judged on the quality of their technical report, oral presentation, and overall design. It is an opportunity to develop hands-on engineering experience while fostering collaboration, leadership, and school spirit. Each year, the event rotates between different host universities and typically draws over 20 teams from across the country. For many students, it is a highlight of their academic journey combining hard work, creativity, and unforgettable memories with their peers.