UC Davis engineering students will host the mid-Pacific heats of the national concrete canoe competition this weekend. Teams from colleges around the state will display their canoes for judging and test them in races.

Winners of the regional finals go forward to the national finals in San Diego, June 14-16.

Saturday, April 28
-- 10 a.m. to noon. Canoes will be displayed for judging on the south side of Bainer Hall on the UC Davis campus.

Sunday, April 29
-- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dunk tests of canoes at CSU Sacramento Aquatic Center, Lake Natoma.
-- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canoe races. Note: there is a scheduled lunch break from noon to 2 p.m.

Concrete is not well known for its floatation properties, but that does not mean you cannot build a boat out of it. The aim of the competition is to challenge students to apply engineering principles they learn in class. Entries have to meet strict design rules, and canoes are judged on appearance, workmanship, and design and innovation, as well as on team presentations and racing ability.

Teams from UC Davis, UC Berkeley, CSU Sacramento, CSU Chico, CSU Fresno, San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, the University of Santa Clara and the University of the Pacific will be taking part. The UC Davis team won the regional finals in last year's competition.

The national concrete canoe competition is organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers and sponsored by Master Builders, Inc.

UC Davis -- Media can park free in any non-reserved parking space. If your vehicle is not marked, place a media business card on the dashboard.

Lake Natoma -- Take Highway 50 to Hazel Avenue. Head north on Hazel Avenue, after one stoplight turn right into the CSU Sacramento Aquatic Center. Races will be taking place opposite the center. If your vehicle is not marked, place a media business card on the dashboard.