RegattaCentral

In celebration of their centennial anniversary, Oklahoma City University staged the first Head of the Oklahoma in 2004 attracting more than 400 rowers and 15,000 spectators to the banks of the Oklahoma River. This same year was the groundbreaking for the Chesapeake Boathouse, the first boathouse in the Boathouse District.

Today, the OCU Head of the Oklahoma is part of the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, a multi-race event that includes RIVERSPORT Corporate Rowing and Dragon Boat League Championships, OG&E NightSprints, RIVERSPORT Adventures, plus a family festival. 

OG&E NightSprints began in 2006 with the 500m sprints under the lights quickly becoming an athlete favorite. Recreating the excitement of "Friday night lights," the OGE NightSprints include great music, food trucks and fireworks at the conclusion of racing. 

Established in 2004, the Oklahoma Regatta Festival brings together athletes from across the region for rowing, canoe/kayak and dragon boat racing on the Oklahoma River. The Oklahoma Regatta Festival includes the 4000m Head of the Oklahoma head race. At night, the river lights up for OG&E NightSprints, 500m sprints on the nation's only permanently lighted race course. A spectacular fireworks extravaganza ends the evening on both Friday & Saturday. 

Athletes are invited to spend the weekend in downtown OKC enjoying the Bricktown Entertainment District. RIVERSPORT Adventures and Whitewater Rapids are open throughout the weekend with whitewater rafting and tubing, a six-story Sky Trail adventure course, a zip line across the river and high speed slides among other attractions. Families with younger children will be interested in the RIVERSPORT Adventure Youth Zone.

All racing and festival activities take place in the Boathouse District, 800 RIVERSPORT Dr. Admission to the festival is free; parking is $10. 

For more information, visit our website or email [email protected]