"University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)"
(18th place overall)

Product (11th):

Name of Canoe: Sand Cruiser
Length: 19 ft
Weight: 115 lb
Color: white (interior); gray (exterior) 

Vital Stats:

The University of Texas at El Paso, located in El Paso, Texas, was the representative from the Rio Grande Region.  This was the team's eighth time and third consecutive appearance at nationals.  Their highest finish to date was fourteenth in 1995.

Display (11th):

Canoe/Materials/Facts:

This canoe was constructed with five layers of Kevlar mesh, recycled from the team's 1999 canoe, reducing material cost, increasing durability and making it a sustainable design.  The team from UTEP used a female, reusable fiberglass mold to provide a smooth finish on the outside of the canoe to reduce water drag.  Sand Cruiser had three special finish coatings - a penetrating water repellency agent (sealer), paint with microspheres, and low-shine clear coat for masonry and concrete.