Projects of the OKCBF
The OKC Boathouse Foundation’s mission focuses on bringing the Oklahoma River to life in a way that improves the quality of life for those who live in our city, encourages athletes to pursue the highest goals of sports and fitness, creates new economic opportunities for our city, and promotes the use and development of the Oklahoma River as a world class urban aquatic venue. [map]
OKC RIVERSPORT
RIVERSPORT is Oklahoma City’s passport to the most exciting activities at the Oklahoma River and at the Route 66 Boathouse at Lake Overholser. Kayaking, rowing, dragon boating, biking, and running – plus fitness workouts, yoga and more – all just minutes from anywhere in the metro. Lessons, coached programs, guided excursions, hourly rentals, youth programming, corporate and group programs, free activities…we have something for everyone. Learn more about RIVERSPORT online at riversportokc.org.
Champion Series Regattas
Each year the OKC Boathouse Foundation hosts some of the premier rowing and canoe/kayak events in the country, bringing thousands of athletes and spectators to the Oklahoma River. Oklahoma City’s premier fall event, the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, brings OCU Head of the Oklahoma, OGE NightSprints and corporate racing to the river. Other annual races include the Central District Youth Rowing Championship, a qualifier for USRowing Youth Nationals, and the spring corporate regatta held each June. The Oklahoma River has also hosted several prestigious USA Canoe/Kayak events including Olympic Trials for Flatwater Sprint in 2008 and the USA Canoe/Kayak National Championship. International athletes compete at the Oklahoma River on a regular basis, but never more memorably than in the 2007 USA Rowing World Challenge, a challenge to be repeated in 2011. Learn more about Oklahoma River events at oklahomariverevents.org.
OKC National High Performance Center
USRowing Training Site • U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site
The OKC National High Performance Center is training the top athletes in both rowing and canoe/kayak to represent the United States in international competition. Training at the Oklahoma River, the OKC National High Performance Center focuses on providing these elite athletes with the best training facilities, programming and coaching in the U.S.
The OKC National High Performance Center training facilities are headquartered in the Devon Boathouse with training under the direction of interim head rowing coach Bryan Volpenhein, a three-time Olympian who also serves as a USRowing national team coach, and head canoe/kayak coach Shaun Caven, a USA Canoe/Kayak national team coach and an Olympic coach from the 2008 games in Beijing.
More than 40 athletes have moved to Oklahoma City to train in hopes of making the U.S. National Team, with as many as 100 athletes coming through the training center over the course of the year for various selection camps and training opportunities. And, USRowing announced OKC as the headquarters for its national lightweight rowing operations, and as the national adaptive training center for rowing. Learn more about the OKCNHPC at okc-nhpc.org. Recent news about the athletes’ performance can be found at http://okchighperformance.blogspot.com
Boathouse District Development
The OKC Boathouse Foundation has been the catalyst behind development of the Boathouse District at the Oklahoma River, working in tandem with city leaders and the corporate community to create one of the world’s premier urban aquatic venues.
Route 66 Boathouse at Lake Overholser
Rowing in Oklahoma City first began at Lake Overholser before moving to the Oklahoma River. Today, the OKC Boathouse Foundation is rejuvenating the Route 66 Boathouse and creating both kayaking and rowing opportunities at the lake, and into the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge – a 1000 acre preserve offering pristine kayaking and rowing opportunities as well as pontoon boat excursions.
To learn more about any OKC Boathouse Foundation projects, contact us by email or call (405) 552-4040.