Hydrofoil Excellence EDC: Student Prize Inaugurated

Founded in England in 1965 and based in the United States since 1970, the International Hydrofoil Society (IHS) is now initiating an annual Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil Excellence in recognition of hydrofoil engineering, design or construction (EDC) achievement by college and university students.

To be clear, hydrofoils are "wings under water" that can substantially increase the speed, maneuverability and stability of suitable boats, ships and other watercraft by lifting them above the surface and waves of water through which they might otherwise experience significant resistance, delay and discomfort.

The International Hydrofoil Society (IHS) remains an all-volunteer, not-for-profit professional society for everyone, everywhere who is involved with or fascinated by commercial, military or recreational hydrofoils of many sizes and types including, but not limited to, passenger ferries, search and rescue boats, patrol craft, cabin cruisers, race boats, speedboats, jet skis, water skis, sailboats and human-powered water bikes.

The namesake and benefactors of these awards are Connie and Martinn Mandles of Los Angeles, CA. In the early 1960s, Martinn was the first co-pilot of Boeing's only jet-powered hydrofoil research hydroplane, and then of the Navy's unique Boeing built and operated high-speed research hydrofoil, FRESH-1.

The IHS is now initiating an annual Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil Excellence in recognition of hydrofoil engineering, design or construction achievement by college and university students. The $2,500 prize and up to two $1,000 honorable mentions each year will be based on submissions from individual students or groups of up to six students with the signature of a faculty advisor endorsing each submission.

Rules for entrants and other details are accessible at: www.foils.org (under Mandles Prize).