So can we get like a lazy river Sunday where I can load up the wife and a Coleman packed with frosty cold cans of beverage and do a few loops in a rubber raft with the speed dial set to daydrinking? It could be like tallequah without all the sandbars. Oh, one can dream.

So can we get like a lazy river Sunday where I can load up the wife and a Coleman packed with frosty cold cans of beverage and do a few loops in a rubber raft with the speed dial set to daydrinking? It could be like tallequah without all the sandbars. Oh, one can dream.


Haha I actually thought of this as well. that it would be a great event to do tubing every now and then at the facility. I mean if we could float ice chest even better but I don't think that would be in the cards.

http://www.insidearenas.com/western/pictures/ford09950.jpghttps://localtvkfor.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/image119.jpg?w=370&h=204&crop=1 http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/w320-cd5432bd955bbe483bff64d700709a24.jpg

Riversport Rapids won't necessarily be a game changer; however, it will add to OKC's portfolio of quality tourist attractions.

Are there some similarities between Charlotte & Oklahoma City when you look at when both cities acquired NBA franchises, built whitewater rafting facilities & rolled out their streetcars?

Charlotte: NBA 1988 - 1990 MSA (1,162,140), rafting facility (opened 2006) & streetcar (2015) 1.5 miles; 2.5 miles extension planned...

Oklahoma City: NBA 2007 - 2010 MSA (1,252,987), rafting facility (opened 2016) & streetcar (projected opening -2019) 6.9 miles.


Are there other similarities...

also for OKC: 10's of miles extension planned

Some awesome photos from Erik Gransberg:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/river041816.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/river041816b.jpg

Guide Training has been taking place the last 3 weekends, with the next class starting this week. Some Olympic athletes are also in town training. The course is an absolute blast, and quite a bit tougher than I thought it would. Should be a huge hit.

Are there plans for sod and landscaping or is this basically a finished product?

Are there plans for sod and landscaping or is this basically a finished product?

It's not open or finished yet. The renderings are at the top of the page and show a lot of landscaping.

This picture in post #506 shows that it is sodded and has lots of trees planted. Just hasn't greened up yet.

I know it goes against the architect's wishes, but we really need some trees on boathouse row.

Is there still a conceptual plan for OU's boathouse (if it happens)? Would it go between the slides and the whitewater facility?

Is there still a conceptual plan for OU's boathouse (if it happens)? Would it go between the slides and the whitewater facility?

Doesn't look like there is much land left. If there is land set aside for them I hope they take advantage of it soon. It honestly should be placed on the open market now though, they snoozed they lose. The land is incredibly valuable at this point & I'm sure some organization would love to have a boathouse.

Are there plans for sod and landscaping or is this basically a finished product?

There is some sod down, and each week there has been more and more laid. The whole area between the channels was sodded this past Saturday, but looks dormant as of then. Definitely still a work in progress. Also working on other landscaping elements before fully sodding.

Doesn't look like there is much land left. If there is land set aside for them I hope they take advantage of it soon. It honestly should be placed on the open market now though, they snoozed they lose. The land is incredibly valuable at this point & I'm sure some organization would love to have a boathouse.

I think you're underestimating the costs of building a boathouse and overestimating the desire of any organizations to spend that kind of money. There has been nothing free market about the boathouses as their financing has been largely philanthropic. Pretty much all the boathouses were funded by huge donations during good economic times as the universities couldn't just afford to build these luxury items. I haven't heard any rumors of any other organizations -- and what type of organizations are we talking about here? -- wanting to build their own boathouse. Anyway, OU supposedly had the funds for their boathouse years ago, but no one seems to know anything about what happened. However, if OU thinks they'd add a boathouse even in the relatively near future then I hope there is a spot saved for them in the plans.

Remember, OU not only has a temporary boathouse at a place on the river where there isn't much traffic, they also have a multi-million dollar training facility on campus.

Don't think there is much motivation to build a new boathouse.

I think you're underestimating the costs of building a boathouse and overestimating the desire of any organizations to spend that kind of money. There has been nothing free market about the boathouses as their financing has been largely philanthropic. Pretty much all the boathouses were funded by huge donations during good economic times as the universities couldn't just afford to build these luxury items. I haven't heard any rumors of any other organizations -- and what type of organizations are we talking about here? -- wanting to build their own boathouse. Anyway, OU supposedly had the funds for their boathouse years ago, but no one seems to know anything about what happened. However, if OU thinks they'd add a boathouse even in the relatively near future then I hope there is a spot saved for them in the plans.

I said boathouse, but that doesn't necessarily have to be the use of the saved land. Maybe a aesthetically appropriate hotel or other use could be put there. I'd rather it be saved for a boathouse but how long would be too long to hold the land for that?

Is there still a conceptual plan for OU's boathouse (if it happens)? Would it go between the slides and the whitewater facility?

Not sure; but were there some original plans for some of the boat houses to be built on the south banks across from the present ones?

Remember, OU not only has a temporary boathouse at a place on the river where there isn't much traffic, they also have a multi-million dollar training facility on campus.

Don't think there is much motivation to build a new boathouse.

I agree that it seems that way, but didn't OU come out with a statement at one point indicating that they'd raised money for a boathouse on the river? Maybe that money was diverted towards on the on-campus facility, but I've never seen any update indicating such. I'm sure the people at the boathouse know OU's intentions, but I just haven't seen any off-the-record information much less a public announcement. Usually someone is in the know...

Is there still a conceptual plan for OU's boathouse (if it happens)? Would it go between the slides and the whitewater facility?

Yes, the concrete "prow" for where the OU boathouse would go is already there. It matches the Devon and the Central boathouses. They have a tent on it right now.

Not sure; but were there some original plans for some of the boat houses to be built on the south banks across from the present ones?

No.

The only structures planned for the south shoreline were windscreens, lighting, and grandstands.

What happened with the plans for indoor surfing? Did that building get axed?

What happened with the plans for indoor surfing? Did that building get axed?

I believe when SandRidge went on hard times then the funding went away. I could be wrong.

I believe when SandRidge went on hard times then the funding went away. I could be wrong.

That would make sense. I wonder if they could find another sponsor and still build the pavilion or if it's gone for good?

That would make sense. I wonder if they could find another sponsor and still build the pavilion or if it's gone for good?

We'll be lucky if SandRidge survives...

Drove by today while they had the channels what appeared to be fully cranked, that competition channel looks LEGIT, big rapids coming through

What happened with the plans for indoor surfing? Did that building get axed?

The indoor surfing got axed, the building though scaled down was built. Thought they had released a few different plans in quick succession, I think what was built was roughly what had been announced right before adding the surfing, with slightly less things that seemed mainly for aesthetic purposes.

Uh, looks awesome. I like how half the rafters fall out almost immediately. ;)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Viw-vCFk8U

Wow that looks so fun! Definitely going to be making trips down here. This has bachelor/ette events written all over it.

Looks uber fun!

Amazing publicity for OKC!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgfuLk4aGVs

Very, very cool!

The latest edition of Discover Oklahoma has a very good segment on Riversport Rapids.

http://discoveroklahomatv.com/

I did this today with the entire day package. Man what a deal, there is so much to do and it is so professionally done. The season pass for $180 is easily worth it.

My only complaint is the nickle-and-dime feel of charging for parking. Sure $5 isn't much, but when everyone is there to spend probably $200+ with groups, just felt it cheapened the feel somehow.

OK guys, I have some serious concern with the facility now. Do we chlorinate the water for our facility? If not, I think we need to strongly consider doing so. ...

check this out -> Ohio Teen Dies from Brain-Eating Amoebi from Charlotte Watersport Facility (http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/health/brain-eating-amoeba-killed-ohio-teenager/index.htm)

Any concerns on this? and also with the Paddleboarding at Overholser? and the Bricktown Canal?

People have died of brain eating amoebi in Oklahoma bodies of water before. Even if we did chlorinate the whitewater facility (which I doubt we do), we'd never chlorinate a lake. I think it's just one of those, however unfortunate, at your own risk kind of things.

If you read the articles about this incident, the Charlotte facility is chlorinated, filtered, AND UV treated. Their treatment approach is considered 99.9% effective against such organisms. On top of that, they usually happen only in slow-moving or stagnant bodies of water, which a whitewater facility obviously is not. It's also worth noting that the Charlotte facility was reopened immediately. Honestly it sounds like they aren't that sure it came from the Charlotte facility, though that's the only body of water that they KNOW the young lady was in.

I haven't spoken with the Riversport people specifically about how our whitewater facility is treated, though I know it is at least filtered. But I'll guess it takes a similar approach to Charlotte, since it was designed to one-up the Charlotte facility in just about every way.

Regarding Lake Overholser, you certainly can't treat an entire lake, nor does it make sense to panic over something like this...Overholser is no different than other lakes all over the state.

Regarding the canal, it is filtered but not treated. It is also recirculated and aerated, so not stagnant. It utilizes fresh (tap) water, and honestly is about the same from a biological standpoint as a river. In fact, since it hasn't been drained/cleaned in several years, nature has taken over and it is currently FULL of fish. Just yesterday the Parks Department removed the carcass of a catfish that was nearly 2' long. It's also important to note that swimming is not allowed in the canal, so exposure to something like this would be incredibly unlikely.

People have died of brain eating amoebi in Oklahoma bodies of water before. Even if we did chlorinate the whitewater facility (which I doubt we do), we'd never chlorinate a lake. I think it's just one of those, however unfortunate, at your own risk kind of things.

RIVERSPORT Rapids is actually chlorinated and has a very sophisticated treatment facility that includes ozone that would prevent any such amoeba from being in the system. When you go rafting you can smell the chlorine and its is essentially a giant pool.

^^^^^^^
Well, there you go. Again, based on what I read about the Charlotte facility's similar treatment process, it seems far from settled that her infection came from there.

And even if it did we can't freak out about death every single time it happens. People are going to die and they're going to die in ways that potentially could have been prevented. The reality is that the utility far outweighs the loss. Yes, it sucks for the family and the loved ones, but it's a fundamental part of life.

RIVERSPORT Rapids is actually chlorinated and has a very sophisticated treatment facility that includes ozone that would prevent any such amoeba from being in the system. When you go rafting you can smell the chlorine and its is essentially a giant pool.

That's great to know, thanks!

This won't be good for business....

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/health/brain-eating-amoeba-killed-ohio-teenager/

That's great to know, thanks!

If it's so clean , why is the water brown?

^^^^^^^
Well, there you go. Again, based on what I read about the Charlotte facility's similar treatment process, it seems far from settled that her infection came from there.

The facility was shut down, after they found the amoebi in the water, so that's where it came from, I'd suspect.

The facility was shut down, after they found the amoebi in the water, so that's where it came from, I'd suspect.

Im sure they did that as a precaution.

its brown because up until three weeks ago it was a construction site with dirt blowing into it. They said it would take a few months for the dirt to settle and the filtration to clear it up

This won't be good for business....

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/health/brain-eating-amoeba-killed-ohio-teenager/

Couldn't begin to tell you what the odds were of something like this happening in Charlotte's rafting center let alone to be repeated at OKC's Whitewater Riversport Rapids.

It's not good business for Charlotte's whitewater center; OKC can learn from what happened in North Carolina.


Im sure they did that as a precaution.

its brown because up until three weeks ago it was a construction site with dirt blowing into it. They said it would take a few months for the dirt to settle and the filtration to clear it up

Agree!

It takes time to get the sod planted along with the chemical treatments and continuous filtering necessary to clear up the water. Oklahoma City's Whitewater Riversport Rapids will be a great tourist attraction.

I went this weekend with some friends and had a blast. This place is a huge asset for OKC.

This won't be good for business....

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/health/brain-eating-amoeba-killed-ohio-teenager/

Like I said in the previous post, I was there this weekend and the place was absolutely packed. I don't see it affecting business at all.

Like I said in the previous post, I was there this weekend and the place was absolutely packed. I don't see it affecting business at all.

Not to mention the fact that the amoeba in question traditionally lives in hot, stagnant, untreated water. If you've been out out there, you can quickly see (and smell) that the whitewater facility doesn't fit any of those descriptions.

Agree!

It takes time to get the sod planted along with the chemical treatments and continuous filtering necessary to clear up the water. Oklahoma City's Whitewater Riversport Rapids will be a great tourist attraction.


Correct on the water. It is absolutely a great tourist attraction. We have been five times and every person in each six-man raft, except the two of us, has been from out of town. Most were from out of state, too.

Does one have to possess any type of skill level to do this? I'd love to go out there, but I've never done any type of whitewater rafting.

^^^ Absolutely not. They tell you exactly what and when to do it.

Does one have to possess any type of skill level to do this? I'd love to go out there, but I've never done any type of whitewater rafting.

Rafting no, kayaking yes

Thanks!

Does one have to possess any type of skill level to do this? I'd love to go out there, but I've never done any type of whitewater rafting.

You can take kayak lessons, though and they have them for beginners.

You can take kayak lessons, though and they have them for beginners.

Yes you can and the instructors are very good. Though I would caution any beginners planning on taking lessons to realize that you will probably need more than a few lessons before you're ready to tackle the actual rapids even if they are running at a lower rate. It probably isn't a situation where you can take a few hours of lessons in the morning then cruise down one of the channels by afternoon. There is definitely some skill involved but even the learning process is pretty fun.

Yes you can and the instructors are very good. Though I would caution any beginners planning on taking lessons to realize that you will probably need more than a few lessons before you're ready to tackle the actual rapids even if they are running at a lower rate. It probably isn't a situation where you can take a few hours of lessons in the morning then cruise down one of the channels by afternoon. There is definitely some skill involved but even the learning process is pretty fun.

My brother who scuba dives all over North America (Belize, Bonaire, Cancun, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Florida Keys) says that he plans to take extensive training before he gets fully involved with the activities offered at the Riversports Rapids.

He says there are more to the rapids than people think.

My brother who scuba dives all over North America (Belize, Bonaire, Cancun, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Florida Keys) says that he plans to take extensive training before he gets fully involved with the activities offered at the Riversports Rapids.

He says there are more to the rapids than people think.

I took the family down to buena vista couple of years ago , the youngest was 8 after a 30 minute class we were headed for the river to do some class 4 rafting....

How does this place compare to the real deal and do they classify it it the same regards?

I took the family down to buena vista couple of years ago , the youngest was 8 after a 30 minute class we were headed for the river to do some class 4 rafting....

How does this place compare to the real deal and do they classify it it the same regards?

A friend of mine ran a rafting company in Buena Vista for 8 years and said that while it's different than an actual river, it is pretty close to the real deal. The rapids are classified the same way. The highest rated ones here are class 4 with 5 or 6 pumps running (or something like that).

I took the family down to buena vista couple of years ago , the youngest was 8 after a 30 minute class we were headed for the river to do some class 4 rafting....

How does this place compare to the real deal and do they classify it it the same regards?

Not familiar with Buena Vista; my rafting experience have been here in Oklahoma at the Illinois River floats in Tahlequah. The float resorts here like Eagle Bluffs, War Eagle & Peyton's Place are among my favorites.

Glad to hear about Buena Vista, it sounds like a place that provides more of a challenge than the Illinois River.

Not familiar with Buena Vista; my rafting experience have been here in Oklahoma at the Illinois River floats in Tahlequah. The float resorts here like Eagle Bluffs, War Eagle & Peyton's Place are among my favorites.

Glad to hear about Buena Vista, it sounds like a place that provides more of a challenge than the Illinois River.

It was a blast, a little scary at times but our guide was well trained and kept us moving in the right direction.. He did state that anything over class 5 was not rideable and or life threatening to some extent.... But he suggested 4 over 3 because we told him we liked living on the edge...