When you think of surfing, you may imagine the towering waves off the coast of Hawaii or Vancouver Island, but Oklahomans can hang-10 later this summer as RIVERSPORT in the Boathouse District unveils its new adventure.
Get ready to surf! Opening Aug. 1 at RIVERSPORT in the Boathouse District is Surf OKC, an experience featuring endless waves and a trampoline-like surface that is perfect for all surfing skill levels. Advanced riders can drop in, carve turns, and perform maneuvers to show off their skills.
The new static surf experience is part of several other additions at Riversport OKC from the $7.9 million allocated for the river in surplus funds from Maps 3. Besides the new surf experience, the RIVERSPORT will also welcome a new zipline and a new second floor to the whitewater facility.
"The whole surfing concept actually started many years ago, and we've been talking about adding a surf feature for many years," said Elizabeth Laurent, chief marketing officer for the OKC Boathouse Foundation. "The Surf OKC feature is Flowrider technology with a recirculating pump that creates a sheet wave that two people at a time can ride. It also uses a shorter board than what you would use on the ocean."
The new Surf OKC isn't the only place at RIVERSPORT to try surfing. The last drop in the whitewater rafting and kayaking course also creates a wave that people can surf on. If standing on the board isn't your jam, then give riverboarding a try as well.
"It's the same surf technology you see on cruise ships," said Laurent. "People will line up and we have adventure guides who will give tips on how to get up on the board. We will also offer lessons, birthdays parties and more."
Surfing also lends itself to social distancing as only two people at a time can be on the wave, she said.
"This is another first and another differentiator for Oklahoma City. To have surfing in the middle of the Great Plains shows that Oklahoma City continues to be forward-thinking and progressive in its ideas," Laurent said.
.The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation was launched to promote active lifestyles and fitness and more than $23 million was generated last year from activities in the Boathouse District. RIVERSPORT at the Boathouse Adventure Park takes summer adventure to a whole new level with whitewater rafting, zip lines, a six-story adventure course and, now, a new surf center.
While the Oklahoma River used to be a dry riverbed, visitors now enjoy whitewater rafting and tubing at RIVERSPORT Rapids. The adventure park also has the 80-foot SandRidge Sky Trail, a zipline that shoots 700 feet across the Oklahoma River and four Sky Slides. The truly brave can test their courage with the six-story Rumble Drop free-fall, then get on the water in a kayak or stand up paddle board, all in the Boathouse District downtown on the Oklahoma River. The center also has a youth zone, 13+ miles of trails for running or cycling, mountain bike trails and pump tracks.
Surf OKC can be accompanied by other adventures and rafting with a RIVERSPORT or Xtreme Season Pass. The new surfing is included with both passes. Surfing is also included in RIVERSPORT and Xtreme Day Passes.
Only interested in surfing? A Surf OKC Day Pass is $19.99 and can be purchased on site at Guest Services.