Students' Kite-Propelled Watercraft Compete on Rose Valley Lake

The Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists, an assemblage of students in Penn College's industrial and human factors design major, held a kite-propelled boat race at Rose Valley Lake on Saturday. "The race required the students to build boats from scratch and propel them with kites," explained Thomas E. Ask, associate professor and SIMS adviser. "The wind was strong, the trees were radiant and everyone’s feet were wet." First-year students Daniel P. Campano, Mount Laurel, N.J.; Adam J. Zapotok, Hanover Township; and Jackson R. Hruschka, Bellefonte; comprised the winning team, using a handmade, giant blue tarp kite to propel their barrel rider. Also competing were Cory D. Karges, Whitney Point, N.Y.; Nicolas J. Krupka, Allentown; and Michael R. Perkins, Clinton, N.J.; with their floating box and broom paddle. The event was approved by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Photos by Elayna Ask