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Students with models in a laboratory of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Faculty of
Architecture and Civil Engineering

in Wiesbaden

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40 Years of Concrete Canoes at HSRM

Mehrere leere Bootshüllen liegen auf einem Pflasterboden. Die Boote sind in verschiedenen Farben und Designs, einige mit Aufschriften wie „MobyDyck“ und „DrLorean“. Die Anordnung zeigt eine Vielzahl von Formen und Größen. Das Bild vermittelt eine kreative, handwerkliche Atmosphäre.

In 1986, the Concrete Canoe (Regatta) adventure began

Three students from what was then the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences - now Hochschule RheinMain – University of Applied Sciences and Arts - took on the challenge of building a concrete watercraft that would not only not sink but would also float and compete in a regatta. The maiden voyage went as planned, so the MobyDyck was able to take the starting line - crew and all - at the first regatta in Limburg an der Lahn and even went on to win the design award right away.

Even 40 years later, students from the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, led by Professor Christian Heese’s team, participated in the anniversary regatta in Brandenburg an der Havel, where the original canoe was once again launched and continued to demonstrate what it could do. 

This 40th anniversary prompted the engineering team behind the concrete canoe project and the alumni liaison of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering to organize a small celebration for and with former canoeists at the university. 

Pioneers of the program and participants from the 2009 event in Essen, as well as those from 2015, 2024, and 2026 in Brandenburg an der Havel, accepted the invitation. A long-time partner of Dyckerhoff—a company that has consistently supported the student-built concrete canoe project at our university over the years—was also in attendance. All teams were invited to present on their canoe-building process and their experiences at the regatta. This led to many interesting reports, questions, and a lively exchange. The audience listened with particular interest to the presentation by one of the canoeists from 1986, and for some, the secret of the design was finally revealed. 

Following the presentations, we raised a toast to 40 years of concrete canoes at and with Hochschule RheinMain – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and everyone had the chance to take another close look at all the canoes in a small exhibition.

The Concrete Canoe Regatta

For 40 years, the Concrete Information Center has organized a concrete canoe regatta every two years. The event combines concrete and boat-building technology with athletic competition. Participants come from vocational schools, universities of applied sciences, colleges, and other institutions where concrete engineering is taught. The challenge: To work as a team at the university to design a concrete canoe that is both lightweight and sturdy, and to use it to win the regatta. Prizes are awarded not only for athletic performance but also for creative design ideas and original team presentations.

Since its first participation in 1986, Hochschule RheinMain – University of Applied Sciences and Arts has fielded a total of eight boats over the years.