Boot, Blu Party highlight the OK River's development

[SherryM]

This weekend's Boot of the Oklahoma Regatta & blu Denim fundraising party will make the Oklahoma River a focal point for high school, collegiate & master athletes from across the nation, even bringing members of the U.S. national team to race on our waters.

Come see how the river is transforming OKC! This Friday's blu denim party will include tours of new construction along the river, including the Devon Boathouse, Home of OCU Rowing, the OU Boathouse, & the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower. Get tickets here: Register.

The Regatta takes place Saturday and Sunday on the western basin of the river at the Exchange Boathouse (1391 Exchange Ave) near Stockyards City. Make plans to check out this family-friendly event: Boot of the Oklahoma.

Sunday afternoon's Corporate Stampede will feature 450 rowers who trained for 12 weeks to race in teams of 8 for a 500m sprint. Come cheer on your favorite team! During the Corporate Stampede, the Oklahoma River Cruisers will provide the perfect viewing platform - get tickets to see the races now: Oklahoma River Cruises.

OKC has created an amazing venue that will position our city as a key training site for Olympic hopefuls. Learn more here: OKC Boathouse Foundation. Let's keep the momentum!

[metro]

So is this replacing the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta this year? Also Exchange Boathouse? who knew we had such.

[SherryM]

Due to the construction at Regatta Park, the event was moved to accommodate all the participants and spectators. Since it will be by the Stockyards, a Western theme has emerged, making it the "Boot."

Head of the Oklahoma will return in 2010, and the Chesapeake Finish Line tower and Devon Boathouse will debut then too!

The Exchange Boathouse is a great asset for the rowing community. When the East basin of the river is unavailable, all programs can still continue, thanks to the Exchange facility, which provides access to the West basin. It's just another reason the Oklahoma River is a great aquatic venue.

[LakeEffect]

Yes, it is essentially moving the Head of the Oklahoma. Due to the construction at the normal location, they decided to move the event down the river. Since it's near the Stockyards, they thought it would be nice to change the name to reflect the area.

[OKCisOK4me]

I just hope they've got that problem near the Stockyards taken care of. I know it's a rowing event and they're technically not going to be in the water but I'd still test it. Also, is it gonna smell bad down there? Wind will be blowing from the south I'd imagine!

[metro]

Anyone have any pics of the Stockyards Exchange Boathouse?

[Platemaker]

I've been searching for pics of the Exchange Boathouse since this posted... I had no idea.

This is from bootoftheoklahoma.com:

The Exchange Boathouse
1391 Exchange Ave

The Exchange Boathouse is located on the Western Basin of the Oklahoma River near Oklahoma City's historic Stockyards City. The Exchange Boathouse echoes elements of the Chesapeake Boathouse with translucent polycarbonate walls and columns of light illuminating the night sky.

[SherryM]

Here's a photo of the Exchange Boathouse</a>, current home of OU rowing. This weekend it will host the 1,300 participants of the Boot of the Oklahoma.
Yfrog - e86

[keving]

The Exchange Boathouse is essentially a normal large metal building with a fenced in area for storage. It's nothing special like the Chesapeake Boathouse, however, it is still pretty decent and better than several boathouses across the country.

[metro]

Nice! Much nicer than I was expecting it to be. I wonder why hardly anyone knows about it.

[OKCSC]

The potential income from crew in this city is almost unbelievable, and something most probably don't consider.

While Crew is not as large a sport in the southwest, it is near the top of the list for kids at NE prep schools. If OKC could get a big regatta tradition going, the city could cash in big time.

The largest regatta in the US (head of the Charles) draws 7,500 athletes. These athletes are the kind that want to spring the money to stay in the best hotels and eat the best post race meals. If OKC can tap into this crowd of tourists it would be amazing.

[keving]

metro: it's because most activities are out of the Chesapeake Boathouse.

[OKCisOK4me]

Here's a photo of the Exchange Boathouse</a>, current home of OU rowing. This weekend it will host the 1,300 participants of the Boot of the Oklahoma.
Yfrog - e86

The smaller version looks like a cockroach motel sitting on top of a bowl of raisins, lol...