Indoor Event - OKC

USA Canoe/Kayak Indoor Championship

KayakPro USA, the OKC Boathouse Foundation and the Chesapeake Boathouse present the U.S. Indoor Kayak Championship on February 20 in Oklahoma City. The US Indoor Kayak Championship will offer competition for both novice and experienced paddlers.

Registration fees will be nominal with the goal of encouraging the greatest number of paddlers possible to participate in this inaugural event. Kayak Pro has donated two kayak ergs as grand prizes for both the women's and men's competition.Whie in OKC, paddlers will have the opportunity to learn about the development of the sport of kayaking in Oklahoma City and view the world-class sprint course, new boathouse construction plans and planned race course improvements.

In early December, the citizens of Oklahoma City voted to fund $60 million in improvements to the Oklahoma River including the construction of a Whitewater Kayaking Center similar to the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. The Indoor Championship will be held at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City in conjunction with the Nadia Comaneci International Invitational gymnastics competition as well as corporate, masters and juniors erg racing. A community-wide health and wellness expo will also take place that day.

Those interested in competing should contact OKC High Performance Center coach Shaun Caven, scaven@okcbf.org, for registration and lodging information.

World Championships 2010

World Championships 2010 - Poznan - http://www.kayak2010.com/

Stroud House

Today we carefully removed some old boats and equipment from the Stroud Boathouse. The city move in over the next few days to clear the site ready for The Boathouse Foundation to return the building to former glory. The building will be used to support all sorts of programs at Overholser next summer.

Devon Boathouse Update

Devon Boathouse rowing tank foundation is in! Looking forward to seeing more next month when construction goes vertical! http://ow.ly/MHZo

USACK Update from Joe Jacobi

Joe Jacobi shares news of OKC office with USA Canoe/Kayak members: http://bit.ly/6pUGUb. Welcome to Oklahoma!

ICF Board Meeting

ICF Announce Changes to Sprint Racing Olympic ProgrammeIn direct response to the expectations of the IOC, the ICF has taken a giant leap forward by revising its Olympic programme for the Canoe Sprint discipline. These changes mark the first for the sport in 30 years and move canoeing into a new phase of not just equality but also a phase that shows canoeing as the exciting spectacle it really is. These will, in turn, create a more attractive TV experience for fans and spectators around the world.
The changes see more female athletes in the 2012 Games, as the Men’s 500M event is turned over to the Women’s events. This means there will be a total of four female events for Canoe Sprint at the Olympics.
The Men’s 500M events have been moved to 200M events and will become a new focus at the Olympic Games in London 2012. The IOC President, Jacque Rogge commented that the 200M would make the event ‘more spectacular’.
The ICF President, Mr Jose Perurena said that ‘These changes to the Olympic Programme represent an evolution for Canoeing as a sport. It has been the vision of the ICF Board to make suitable changes to keep our sport relevant and exciting for the youth and general public in the coming years. We look forward to seeing the new format being put in use in London 2012.’
The 1000M distances will remain for men as the traditional ‘blue ribbon’ events and 500 m for the women. There will be more women represented at the 2012 Games in canoeing and the 200 m kayaking for men will provide a more watchable, more entertaining format presenting some nail-biting finishes.
At the same time, the ICF requested additional quotas for Canoe Slalom. The IOC has recognised the value that Canoe Slalom brings to the Olympic Games, but have decided to maintain the existing quota for 2012.
The ICF has 330 places in Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom with a total of 16 medals at the Olympic Games. For more information please contact ICF Secretary General, Simon Toulson simon.toulson@canoeicf.com.

UCO - Wellness Centre

University of Central Oklahoma, has given the Oklahoma City Elite Kayak Program access to its' Wellness Center. http://www.ucowellnesscenter.com/

Maps 3 Information Session

Join us @ the Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd, tomorrow from 5-7:30 to learn about MAPS3 & the future of OKC. http://bit.ly/2IlWCt. YES4MAPS!

Maps 3 In the News

Article by TOM MCDANIEL - OCU President

http://newsok.com/article/3421396

News Article

See link for new story about the River in OKC. http://bit.ly/7JqCEC

2012 Launch Party

Getting ready 2 kick off our 2012Friends of the Oklahoma River organization w/a launch party tomorrow! http://bit.ly/2IlWCt

Water Sports City

OKC Water Sports in the News...... follow link. http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/4991/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=LwBEAGUAZgBhAHUAbAB0AC4AYQBzAHAAeAAslashAHAAPQAxADIANwAyADkA&sms_ss=twitter

Rob Brown

This video is so meaningful as tomorrow, November 11th, is Veteran's Day. Please take a moment to watch it and pass it on. Rob Brown, thank you - you inspire us and we are so proud of you. Team River Runners, thank you for the amazing services you provide to those who aren't thanked enough, and to all of our women and men in uniform - Thank you for all you do! http://usack.org/news/article/28944

MAPS 3

Vote for a better future in OKC.... MAPS 3 will put the city and the river into a new league, and onto a world stage. So, vote yes...... to find out more. Click on http://www.yesformaps.com/index.html

Rt.66 Boathouse Rally for Maps3 Trails Proposal

We had a successful rally supporting the trails initiative. When the trails are completed the Rt.66 Boathouse will be connected to both the Lake Hefner and Oklahoma River Trails. There will also be a complete trail around Lake Overholser. Thanks to Hal McNight, of Wheeler Dealer, and Council members Sam Bowman and Larry McAtee for attending. Find out more about the Trails Master Plan here.

OKC Head Coach - USA Travels Update

Coach Caven - This month has been out to Chula Vista, Olympic Training Centre and Seattle. In Chula Vista he was involved in Coaching the USA National Junior Team. The focus of the camps was on crew boat development for the Junior Worlds in 2011. Both the boys and girls groups showed promise for 2011 and 2013.

In a quick visit to Seattle, he visited the clubs at Green Lake and Gig Harbour. Both clubs have some great people involved and was good to see the proposed site for the 2011 nationals up close.

On the home front in OKC, we will have some new team paddlers here soon. We also have, visits to check out the facilities, from a number of others soon. Watch this space for more updates.

Oklahoma River: A Vision for the Future

Oklahoma River: A Vision for the Future: "OKLAHOMA RIVER EXPERIENCE' Mobile Boathouse Tour Stop

The Oklahoma River Experience Mobile Boathouse is now booking tour stops. This mobile interactive exhibit will be on display at Campus Corner during all home OU football games and will be making appearances throughout Central Oklahoma. Please contact Katie Johnson at 552-4040 to inquire about scheduling an tour stop at your school, event, or business. While not on the road, the Oklahoma River Experience is open for public touring at the Chesapeake Boathouse during normal operating hours. Please visit www.chesapeakeboathouse.org for more information about the Chesapeake Boathouse."

Joe Jacobi talks about Maps3 and the Whitewater Park

USACK Visit

William Irving - the new International Teams Director for USA Canoe & Kayak (USACK). Was in town the last couple of days. To get a on the ground view of the opportunities for Canoe & Kayak in OKC. He was impressed by the facilities and the plans for the future.

William talked at a class at Southern Nazarene University, about Leadership and Management skills. He had a number of meetings with Foundation Staff members about OKC's role in the future of the sport.

Water

The river was filling back up today to a normal level. That means that more and more of Stinchcombe open to access from a kayak. This weekend the club will all race on the river at Exchange in the "Boot of the Oklahoma". The kayak race will be at 2.45pm on Saturday, come and watch the kids race + a couple of special guests???

Another Accent

If you thought Scottish would be the extent of the coaching accents in OKC think again!! Aleksandr Vodovatov from Kyrgystan arrived in OKC today, on a coaching education and exchange program developed by the USA Olympic committee. "Alex" will stay in OKC for two weeks, helping out with coaching at the boathouse. Alex is a former World Champion in the sport and is here to expand his coaching knowledge to help his country compete at the highest level.

Jen Burke

Jen Burke - USA National Team paddler arrived in OKC this week. Jen has moved to OKC to further her paddling career. Jen is from San Diego, CA. She was selected to paddle for the USA this year on the World Cup Tour in Europe and in K4 for the World Championships in Canada.

Jen will be studying, working and training here in OKC. She hopes to enrol at OCU in the spring. Jen drove out for CA, last weekend. A two day road trip with here mum.

Jen will be working with Shaun, to improve her ranking in the USA and to better her international results. So, if you see here round the boathouse say "hi".

Stinchcomb Water Levels

Ideal paddling is at 1240 and above. You can check the level here.

9.9.9

9.9.9 (8 racing paddlers out this evening!! 1st Full Sprint Kayaking Session at the New Boathouse.)

River In Use

22 people paddled on the river today!!

Sprint Program

Next Tuesday after Labour Day. We will move the Junior Sprint Kayaking program out to Rt66 Boathouse.

Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge

Matt on TV

Canoeing indoor with Matt and Fox 25 news. Live this morning!!

Fox 25 News

Fox 25 News are doing stuff at the Rt66 Boathouse all morning...... Tune in a watch.....

Grand Opening Coverage on NewsOK.com

http://newsok.com/enthusiasts-row-to-new-boathouse/article/3396845

Grand Opening Day

Around 250 people on the water today!! Great weather, Great Location, Great Day!!

Route 66 Boathouse Now Open! Venue and Programming Overview

New Kayaks and Canoe

8 new Kayaks and 1 Canoe have been delivered today. The boats will be used for rental, lessons and tours.

School Flyer

Today, we handed out 700 flyer's to local schools for the "Grand Open Day" this Saturday!! On Friday we will visit Lake Park Elementary School, to introduce the sport to Students & Staff.

RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE ROUTE 66 BOATHOUSE - A MILESTONE FOR LAKE OVERHOLSER

RIBBON CUTTING - TUESDAY, AUGUST 25th

The Northwest Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon-cutting for the Route 66 Boathouse at Lake Overholser on Tuesday at 11:00am. The Route 66 Boathouse is located south of the Lake Patrol building at 3115 East Overholser Drive in West Oklahoma City.

GRAND OPENING AND OPEN HOUSE- SATURDAY, AUGUST 29th, 9:00am - 5:00pm

The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation will hold a grand opening celebration for the Route 66 Boathouse on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9am to 5pm and will offer free kayaking, dragon boating and bicycle rentals throughout the day. The boathouse is located on the east shore of Lake Overholser at 3115 E. Overholser Drive.

“We’re excited to get back to our roots at the Route 66 Boathouse – the place where Oklahoma City rowing began,” said Mike Knopp, executive director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation. “As our programs continue to expand, we want to offer the best facilities possible, and the Route 66 Boathouse will accommodate many of our growing kayak programs.”

The Route 66 Boathouse is a US Olympic & Paralympic Training Site and will be a focal point of development for canoe/kayak programs. Shaun Caven, coach of 2008 Olympic gold medalist Tim Brabents of Great Britain, is coaching the new sprint kayak program.

“We have our sights set on developing America’s best sprint kayaking program,” Caven said. “We’re currently inviting youth who are interested in exploring the sport to come out and give it a go. We’re looking for kids as young as 8 and there’s really no upper age limit.”

Located near the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, the Route 66 Boathouse will recreational kayak programs including nature kayak trips that wind through the 1,000-acre preserve. Bicycle rentals will also be available and groups may schedule private events including kayak and dragon boat excursions.

GRAND OPENING SPECIALS!

25% discount on kayak and bike rentals for a limited time!

SUMMER CELEBRATION - AUGUST 29th

EXPLORE THE PRESERVE