There's something electrifying about racing on the Oklahoma River at night. With stadium lights illuminating the water, athletes adorned in glow necklaces, and the roar of the crowd carrying across the length of the 500 meter sprint course, night racing combines the thrill of sprinting with the rush that comes from being on stage. Of the nearly 1,500 athletes racing in the OCU Head of the Oklahoma Regatta this year, only a few hundred will qualify to strut their stuff under the lights.
The OGE NightSprints is a blend of sports and entertainment, creating an electric rock concert atmosphere on the banks of the Oklahoma River. It's putting Oklahoma City in the international spotlight, and re-introducing the sport in a fresh, bold new way. And soon the Oklahoma River will have a permanent glow.
Improvements slated for the river as part of Oklahoma City's MAPS 3 (metropolitan area projects) quality of life initiative include the addition of permanent lighting along the entire 2,000m Olympic-distance race course which will open the venue up to a number of unique racing possibilities, including local Friday Night Lights on the river and national and international races in both rowing and kayaking. Construction to install the permanent lights will begin after the 2012 OCU Head of the Oklahoma Regatta. The lights will be ready for the 2013 sprint racing season.
"OGE NightSprints have created a buzz throughout the rowing world," said Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation Executive Director Mike Knopp. "Our goal is to create an electric atmosphere for everyone involved, from the spectators to the athletes. Whether you're giving your all under the lights or standing on the banks cheering the athletes on, you can feel how unique and exciting it is. And once the permanent lighting is in, we're looking forward to introducing night racing to more athletes."
Oklahoma City is the birthplace of American night racing. In 2006, OGE, the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation event organizers and community partners made history with the first ever night racing in North America. Since then, OGE NightSprints have continued to power the river, adding more light and more intense competition.
The innovation combines the thrill and festivities of a nighttime sporting event with adrenaline fueled 500-meter sprints. This will be the last year the Oklahoma River will be illuminated by five portable light trucks - each containing fifteen 6,000-watt fixtures attached to 100-foot arms that will reach over the river and allow rowers to race into the night. OGE is providing the trucks from Musco Lighting - the same company known for lighting major sporting events such as NASCAR and the NFL. Next year the river will be illuminated with permanent lights.
OGE NightSprints take place Thursday, Sept. 28, Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30. Thursday events include the Paddle for the Cure dragon boat race benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central and Western Oklahoma Affiliate and Corporate Rowing and Dragon Boat League racing. Friday will cap off Corporate Rowing racing as well as canoe/kayak 200-meter sprints. Saturday's OGE NightSprints include more canoe/kayak 200-meter events, as well as collegiate, junior and master rowing and kayaking races.
Other improvements to the Boathouse District included in the $60 million MAPS 3 project are the addition of grandstands, a floating stage, winds screens and more race infrastructure to ensure the River Stadium can be used for race events as well as community activities. MAPS 3 funding will also be used to create a world-class whitewater rafting and kayaking center.