LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hydrofoils are “wings under water” that substantially increase the speed, maneuverability and stability of many boats, ships and other watercraft by lifting them above the surface and waves through which they might otherwise experience significant resistance, delay and hazards.
Founded in England in 1970 and based in the United States since 1980, the International Hydrofoil Society (IHS) remains an all-volunteer, not-for-profit society for hydrofoil enthusiasts worldwide who are involved with or fascinated by commercial, recreational or military hydrofoils of many sizes and types, including, but not limited to, speedboats, sail boats, race boats, search and rescue vessels, patrol craft, passenger ferries, cabin cruisers, jet skis, water skis, surf boards and human-powered aquatic bikes.
Again in 2020, the IHS will award its 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 are awarded to winning entries from individual students or groups of up to six students with the signature of a faculty advisor endorsing each submission. Rules and other details are accessible at the home page of the Website of the Society, www.foils.org, under “Mandles Prize.” Time is of the essence, so questions and submissions should be addressed to [email protected].
Previous recipients of the Prize and these Honorable Mentions attend or attended the Australian Maritime College, Cedarville University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Technical University of Delft, United States Naval Academy, University of Genoa, University of Southampton, and Webb Institute.
The namesake and benefactors of these awards are Connie and Martinn Mandles of Los Angeles, CA. Martinn is an accomplished aviator and hydrofoiler. In the early 1960s, he 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. After completing his engineering degree at Stanford University, receiving his commission as a military officer and serving in Vietnam, Martinn became the first captain of the Navy’s prototype hydrofoil gunboat, the Boeing-built USS Tucumcari, in 1968. Thereafter, he was a career executive and ultimately chairman of ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM), and now serves as an independent trustee of several large estates.
Contacts
International Hydrofoil Society
Ray Vellinga, 858-450-1923
[email protected]
