Walk on Water

Design Problem

To design and build a pair of floating footgear that enables the wearer to “walk on water.”

The Event

Walk on Water is a competitive event in the style of a marathon race. Participants are positioned at the East side of the FIU Green Lake and “walk” across to the finish line at its West corner, a distance of 232 ft.

Architecture, interior architecture and landscape architecture students enrolled in Professor Jaime Canaves’ Materials & Methods of Construction course participate in the Walk on Water event as a class assignment. Students from other universities are also invited to participate in one race. FIU class students will participate in the FIU only race, and only a select number of them will be eligible to participate in the other race. $1,000 will go to the team or participant who crosses the finish line with the fastest time without falling into the water.

The Rules

1. Foot gear are to be designed, constructed & piloted by the participant or teammate.
2. Forward motion needs to be as similar to the act of walking as possible. No other power source is acceptable.
3. Mechanical devices or attachments will be acceptable to assist in traction, but not to generate power.
4. Attachments for balance can be provided as long as they are part of the foot gear.
5. Functionality, creativity, aesthetics, craftsmanship and economics will be considered in the criteria.
6. Shoes must be attached to feet.
7. No sails or helium balloons.
8. Shoes cannot have metal, sharp edges, or any material that creates a safety hazard.
9. All Styrofoam or similar materials must be covered or protected against breakage.