ASCE 2025-2026 Concrete Canoe: The Gambit

Who we are

ASCE's Concrete Canoe team is a student led, hands on engineering project.
 For many of our members, this project is their first technical engineering experience, where they learn how materials behave, how structures carry load, and how engineering decisions translate from calculations to construction.

This year, we welcomed 20+ new members and 8 assistant directors, creating an environment where students can gradually take on more responsibility. Members are building the canoe, and are involved in testing it, paddling it, and improving it throughout the season.

In preparation for competition, our team travels to Marina del Rey for paddling practice as early as 7:00 AM every Sunday throughout the winter and spring quarters. These practices require students to coordinate transportation, balance academic schedules, and commitment to the project.The consistent turnout at paddling practices shows that students are genuinely invested in the project and in learning how their work performs in real conditions.

Projects like this are essential at UCLA, where students are eager for applied learning. By creating a welcoming, high engagement environment, we give students the confidence, skills, and community they need to thrive as engineers while innovating on lessons learned from past years.

Why we need support

Donor support raises the overall quality of the project for the entire team.
Running a project of this scale requires consistent funding to do things the right way. Sustainable materials, proper handling equipment, and safe, organized workdays all come at a cost. Without funding, teams are often forced to cut corners, use lower quality materials, and limiting testing, which affects both the learning experience and the final product.

Funding helps us invest in more sustainable concrete materials, safely store and handle equipment, and keep workdays running smoothly with the tools and supplies students need. It also allows us to purchase enough materials for testing and iteration, so students can learn through trial and error.

Your support allows us to test more, refine our design, and improve construction quality, which are key factors that separate a good canoe from a winning one. With additional resources, we can make data driven improvements, and address weaknesses from past years.

What we can achieve
 
With proper funding, we are positioned to compete at a higher level at Pacific Southwest Student Symposium, where we compete against other Pacific region university chapters.

Over the past several years, our team has steadily climbed the ranks at competition, moving from lower placements to a second place finish last year. Each year, we’ve grown stronger through better design, more testing, and increased student engagement. This year, with an expanded leadership team, higher participation, and continued donor support, we are well positioned to compete for first place.The progress we’ve made is a direct result of sustained investment in our students.
The momentum behind this team is real!

Powered by donor support

This project doesn’t just aim for a podium finish, but also creates a complete learning experience. Students see how planning, material choices, testing, and teamwork directly affect results. Donor contributions help turn months of student effort into a competitive, high quality outcome and give our team a real opportunity to compete for first place this year.

This project is entirely student driven, and its success depends on the support of those who believe in hands on education. Every contribution directly supports student learning, leadership development, and the ability to carry out this project at a high standard!

Thank you for helping our team learn by doing and compete at the highest level!

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Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.