The 6th Zhejiang University Concrete Dragon Boat Competition was held in the International Campus, Zhejiang University on May 11, 2025. The competition attracted 27 participating teams from various departments. Prof. Wu Jian, Vice Dean of the International Campus, Dr. Wu Hang, Director of the Office of Student Affairs, Prof. Ma Hao, Vice Dean of ZJUI, Prof. Li Binbin, Academic Director of Civil Engineering at ZJUI attended the Competition.
Prof. Wu Jian extended a warm welcome to participating faculty and students. He emphasized that the Concrete Dragon Boat Competition is a comprehensive event integrating innovative design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and traditional cultural heritage. He noted that as an important platform for the university's innovation and entrepreneurship education, this competition not only lays a solid foundation for establishing a multi-dimensional evaluation system for innovative elite cultivation, but also vividly demonstrates Zhejiang University students' commitment to seek truth. Furthermore, he encouraged students to maintain national aspirations, strengthen professional foundations, and focus on combining theoretical knowledge with practical innovation, while continuously enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration capabilities and innovative competencies through solving real-world problems.
Prof. Li Binbin provided an overview of this year's competition. He noted that the Concrete Dragon Boat Competition for university students has been successfully held six times and has grown into an influential flagship event. Particularly noteworthy is that this year's competition saw a record high proportion of teams formed through cross-disciplinary collaboration, fully demonstrating the development trend of interdisciplinary integration. He encouraged all participating teams to not only preserve the essence of traditional culture but also boldly pursue technological innovation, striving for excellence with a spirit of determination and progress.
Ma Yitao, 24’ undergraduate in Electrical Engineering of ZJUI, addressed the audience with a perspective that framed engineering as both a rigorous science and a creative practice. He characterized the competition as more than a technical challenge - emphasizing its role in developing essential teamwork skills that transcend disciplinary boundaries.
The competition consists of two main components: theoretical evaluation and hands-on competition. The theoretical segment includes three aspects: exterior design assessment, technical paper review, and material performance testing. The practical portion features three challenging events: straight-line speed trials (round trip), slalom obstacle course navigation, and load-bearing capacity tests. Each team must independently develop their concrete mixture formula, hull structure design, and electronic control system while carefully balancing the competing demands of lightweight construction and structural stability.
The competing dragon boats showcased remarkable diversity in design: some incorporated elements from Zhejiang's Liangzhu culture, others experimented with hydrofoil structures, while several teams employed innovative high-toughness advanced concrete materials, demonstrating a wide spectrum of creative approaches. After intense competition, the event culminated with 3 teams awarded First Prize, 5 receiving Second Prize, and 9 earning Third Prize honors.
When reflecting on their preparation journey, first-prize team member Liang Yusen shared:" Participating in the Concrete Dragon Boat Competition has been an immensely rewarding experience for our team, and we're filled with gratitude. First and foremost, we want to express our special thanks to Assis Prof. Ma Hanzhi, whose professional and meticulous guidance supported us through every stage - from building the electronic control system to perfecting the hull's aesthetic design. We're equally grateful to Teng Ziyi for generously sharing his competition experience and advice, helping us bridge knowledge gaps and continuously refine our design. Our sincere appreciation also goes to Lab Engineer Chen Lei for providing us with an excellent experimental environment - this support proved invaluable. But what we'll cherish most are those intense days and nights working side by side with teammates - debating solutions late into the evening, conducting repeated tests, and giving our all during competitions. "
