Día de Los Muertos Annual Welding Competition

• Time Slots & Agenda - All time slots and competition details will be provided on the official event agenda, which will be distributed at check-in.
• Mystery Weld Format - This year’s competition will challenge students’ skill and confidence. Participants will not be informed of the material thickness or welding position until the day of the event. Be prepared for anything! Except for T-joint Division.
• T-Joint Division - For First Year Students Only -  We are excited to continue this new division designed to build confidence in our first-year welding students.
  • Eligibility: Only new, first-year students may compete in this category.
  • How it Works: A print will be provided in advance. Students will have time to study the print and prepare to replicate it within the time allowed.
  • Welding Position: The selected position will be revealed when the print is released.
  • Certification Opportunity: Each participant in this division will have the chance to take the AWS D9.1 1F Certification Test.
  • Requirements: All welds must be performed uphill and on both sides of the T-joint.
• Brother-In-Law Division (RIG Welding Style): A challenging and unique division for advanced high school welders, requiring teamwork and equipment readiness.
  • Team Format: 2-person teams
  • Equipment Requirements:
    • Each team member must bring their own gas or diesel-powered welding machine (2 machines per team, no sharing).
    • Two (2) jack stands per team
    • A small table suitable for holding a 20” pipe in a 2G position
    • A minimum of 50 ft. of welding leads for proper spacing
  • Weld Position: Either 2G or 5G, determined on the day of the competition
    • Del Mar College will provide the 5G fixture for jack stand use
  • Important Rules:
    • Participants in this division may not compete in any other division, as this event runs concurrently with others.
    • This is a non-API (no downhill welding) competition.
    • Teams do not need to be from the same school but must be enrolled in a high school welding program.
    • Bring all the tools you anticipate needing (tools may be shared, but welding machines may not).

How to Register:

• All participants must register online using the official QR code provided by the Del Mar College Welding Program.
• Registration must be completed prior to DEADLINE. No on-site or late registrations will be accepted.

Registration Fees

• High School Students (All Divisions): $25.00 per student
• Brother-In-Law Division: $50.00 per 2-person team ($25.00 per student)
• Traditional Post-Secondary Students: $25.00 per student

Payment Instructions

• Payment is considered a donation and is due as soon as possible.
• Only school checks will be accepted—no cash allowed.
• Please make all checks payable to:
  Del Mar College Foundation
• Payment can also be made through an online registration form.
• For traditional students, money orders are accepted (though online payment is preferred).
• All payments must be submitted no later than October 31, 2025.

High School Participation Guidelines

• Maximum of 20 students per high school (not per instructor)
• T-Joint competitors (Beginners only) - see blueprint here
• 20 spots TOTAL (Mix and match: e.g., 10 Open-V Plate + 10 Pipe, or 9 Plate + 8 Pipe + 3 T-Joint)
  
  • Examples:
    • 10 T-Joint / 10 Plate
    • 8 T-Joint / 12 Plate
    • 6 T-Joint / 9 Plate / 5 pipe (& so on...)
• Note: The Brother-In-Law Division is separate and does not count toward the 20-student limit.
• All students must submit a signed Parental Consent Form at check-in.
• Students outside of CCISD: Please contact Sam Garcia at sgarcia171@delmar.edu for instructions.

• Skill Advancement: Students may move up in skill level, but not down.
  • Example: A student enrolled in a Pipe course cannot compete in the Plate division.
• Pipe Division Clarification:
  • Students registered for the Pipe SMAW division must not be enrolled in a Pipe Combo (GTAW/SMAW) course.
  • Questions? Please email sgarcia171@delmar.edu
• Enrollment Proof Required:
  • All high school competitors must show proof of enrollment in their school’s welding program.
  • Students do not need to be enrolled in Del Mar College Dual Credit.
  • If a student places, they will be required to present a current class schedule printout.
• Traditional Post-Secondary Student Guidelines
  • There is no limit to the number of entries from post-secondary programs.
  • Students must be currently enrolled in a recognized welding program, such as:
    • Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend
    • South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
    • Southern Careers Institute
    • Blue Diamond
    • Coastal Bend College
  • A signed consent form is required at check-in, and winners must present a current semester schedule as proof of enrollment.

  Contact Information

  For any questions, clarifications, or additional information, please contact:

  Sam Garcia
  sgarcia171@delmar.edu

We are proud to offer a variety of competitive welding divisions for both high school dual credit students and traditional post-secondary participants. This year we’ve added Traditional post-secondary Plate (SMAW):

• Dual Credit/High School T-Joints (SMAW) - See Blueprint Here
• Dual Credit/High School Plate (SMAW)
• Dual Credit/High School Pipe (SMAW)
• Dual Credit / High School Brother-In-Law High School Pipe (SMAW)
• Traditional Student Plate (SMAW)
• Traditional Student Pipe (SMAW)
• Traditional Student Pipe - Combo (GTAW/SMAW)
  • Limited to 10 teams - First Come, First Served.
  • Please read the contest information carefully before registering.

Tool sharing is not permitted.

• Chipping hammer
• Wire brush
• Vise grip or adjustable pliers
• Adjustable wrench
• 4”–4½” angle grinder – must have a guard, side handle, and no damaged/taped cords
• GTAW competitors must bring their own TIG rig and stinger

NOTE: Competitors without the required PPE or tools, or using items that do not meet safety standards, will not be allowed to compete and may be removed from the contest area.

Mandatory Safety Meeting Notice:
Attendance at the mandatory safety meeting is required for all participants. Failure to attend will result in automatic disqualification.

Ongoing Safety Monitoring:
Safety compliance will be enforced throughout the duration of the competition. Any student found not adhering to the safety guidelines presented during orientation will be:

• Immediately disqualified, and
• Escorted out from the welding area.

Our top priority is the well-being of all participants. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe and professional competitive environment.

Required Safety Gear & Tools for Competitors
To ensure a safe and professional competition environment, all welders must bring and wear the following safety equipment. All gear must be inspected by your school instructor prior to arrival to ensure it is free from defects or damage.
Any competitor found using unsafe or non-compliant equipment will be immediately disqualified.

Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• ANSI Z87-approved safety glasses
• Ear plugs (provided by Del Mar College)
• Welding helmet – must be free of cracks
• Welding gloves – must be free of holes
• Welding jacket or 100% cotton long-sleeved shirt
• Long pants/jeans – no tears, rips, or frayed edges
• Leather work boots/shoes – Steel Toe or Safety Toe highly recommended

No exceptions will be made for missing or inadequate PPE.

To ensure a fair and organized competition environment, the following guidelines must be observed by all instructors, guests, and non-competing students:

• Designated Areas:
  All non-participants must remain in designated areas throughout the duration of the competition. These areas will be assigned and clearly marked on the day of the event.
• No Assistance Allowed:
  Any attempt by a non-competing student, guest, or instructor to assist a contestant after the competition has begun may result in immediate disqualification of that contestant.
• Completion of Weld = Non-Competitor Status:
  Once a participant has completed their welding project, they will be considered a non-competing student and must adhere to the same rules as all other non-participants.
• Restricted Viewing:
  Welded coupons will not be viewable by anyone, students, guests, or instructors—until all judges have submitted their scorecards and the competition is officially concluded.

• Judge Oversight:
  Judges will actively monitor their assigned divisions to ensure all participants adhere to the safety protocols and welding procedures outlined during the orientation.
  * Failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification.
• Visual Inspection:
  Each completed weld (coupon) will undergo a visual examination by judges designated to that specific weld category. All judges are experienced professionals from the welding industry.
• Evaluation Standards:
  Judging will be conducted in strict accordance with AWS (American Welding Society) specifications and industry standards.

Important Note:

Our goal is to maintain this competition as one of the most respected and industry-relevant events in the region.

If welds in each division DO NOT meet AWS visual inspection standards, no prize will be awarded in that category. We are committed to excellence and expect competitors to rise to the challenge.

Instructor Reminder for their Dual Credit Students:
As this is a Dual Credit-focused competition, we kindly ask instructors to prioritize participation for their Dual Credit students. Our mission is to encourage and inspire students to explore and join dual credit welding programs.

Map Legend (Please refer to map):

• MT = Metals Technology Building
• * - Vendor Location (in bold and parenthesis)
• BL = Brother-in-Law
• MOS = Madatory Safety Orientation
• W1 = Weld Shop 1
• W2 = Weld Shop 2
• BS - Blue Shop (Old Machine Shop)