Oklahoma City to Host New Rowing Event in 2024

Oklahoma City has been selected to host a new major rowing event expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes, officials and spectators to the boathouse District.

USRowing has announced it is combining two of its largest events, USRowing Club National Championships and USRowing Masters National Championships, into a single event in Oklahoma City in July 2024. The new USRowing RowFest Summer Championships will include 10 days of racing for masters and junior athletes from across the nation.

The event will be hosted by RIVERSPORT in the city’s Boathouse District with both day and night racing on the Oklahoma River.

“USRowing is embracing the idea of combining the best of rowing championships with a robust experience for athletes’ families,” said Mike Knopp, RIVERSSPORT executive director. “We saw the same idea expressed earlier this year when USA Freestyle Nationals chose Oklahoma City because they see our city as offering the full package – great competition, great hospitality and a great family experience.”

The new USRowing event will allow rowers from across the country to experience Oklahoma City’s unique approach to racing including 500m OGE NightSprints. The Oklahoma River is the only sanctioned, permanently lighted rowing racecourse in the country. Having the event in the city’s Boathouse District also allows USRowing to include educational and social activities utilizing the district boathouse facilities.

“The people of Oklahoma City have built one of the greatest rowing venues in the world, and we are thrilled to host this exciting and innovative USRowing event in 2024,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “We think our venue in the heart of America’s 20th-largest city offers a unique entertainment opportunity for those who come to participate. We know that our visitors will enjoy our unique attractions as well as the opportunity to experience our diverse and inclusive city, including the rich culture of our Native, Latino, Black and Vietnamese communities. We welcome America’s rowers to OKC!”

USRowing has also announced that RIVERSPORT’s Stars & Stripes Regatta held every July will become a USRowing regional masters championship and qualifier for national championships. USRowing already hosts Central Youth Rowing Championships in the Boathouse District every May. n

48 ion Oklahoma November/December 2022