Red Bull Rapids to make North American debut in Oklahoma City

Photos provided by Red Bull Content Pool.

After 11 years of custom-made madness, Red Bull Rapids will make its debut in the United States at RIVERSPORT OKC on August 27.

“We have a very unique venue in the country and really the world. It’s really made for doing something like this,” RIVERSPORT Executive Director, Mike Knopp said.

“I reached out to [Red Bull] about a year and a half ago about the idea of doing something together. They visited and they were really impressed with the venue. That quickly landed on the idea of Red Bull Rapids, which has never been in North America before. So, they thought this would be a great opportunity.”

Knopp notes that the event, previously held around the world, has drawn large crowds, enamored with the ingenuity of each team entered.

Red Bull Rapids, 2015, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia.

The whitewater race, which requires participants to build and buoy their rafts, is an exciting opportunity for thrill seekers at the whitewater center in the Boathouse District. The group challenge incorporates 50 teams of 2-5 adults, racing their respective human-made watercrafts down the 258-yard whitewater rapid course. Each team is scored on the creativity of their raft, the speed at which they descend, and the distance their creation can travel. Teams are scored by a panel of Red Bull athletes and coaches, as well as special guest, Darci Lynne; Oklahoma native and season 12 winner of America’s Got Talent.

Each team’s creation must be entirely human- or gravity-controlled, meaning they may not include any form of external or stored energy sources. Organic muscle and maneuver are what will win this race. Watercrafts must also be less than 10 feet long and weigh 175 pounds or less.

Although the call for entries has expired, spectators are encouraged to attend and take part in the free event.

“Craziness! Red Bull Rapids pulls out all the stops when it comes to encouraging wacky boat design, crazy costumes and ‘schtick.’ It’s basically going to be a party from beginning to end,” RIVERSPORT Chief Marketing Officer, Elizabeth Laurent said.

Red Bull Rapids, 2015, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia.

“People should come down early to get a great seat and watch these homemade contraptions go down the rapids. We’ll have plenty of music, beer, and entertainment to make it a great afternoon. Stay into the evening and you can see the international racing finals along with fireworks.”

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) relocated the 2022 Canoe Sprint Super Cup and the 2022 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup races from Moscow, Russia to Oklahoma City, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Familiar with these types of featured events, Oklahoma City was host to an internationally televised Canoe Sprint Super Cup event in 2021, commonly noted for being a night race; something that was unique to Oklahoma, due to the river having the only sanctioned racecourse in the world with permanent lighting to help illuminate waterways.

“I would say that these events underscore how unique RIVERSPORT is for Oklahoma City. It’s a true differentiator,” Knopp said.

“The fact that we’re bringing these events from around the world, we will really be put in the global water sports spotlight. We really want people to take part in that and come down and check it out.”

It’s true, RIVERSPORT has broadened the spotlight being put on Oklahoma City. The one-of-a-kind aquatic venue has provided the city with several events that have gained international attention.

“It’s sort of like overnight Hollywood successes. It takes a lot of years of planning, networking, and delivering great national and international events to earn this level of confidence in the international community,” Laurent said.

“The city set the stage by investing in the Oklahoma River and later, building the whitewater center. World class facilities are at the core. But it takes more than that.”

Laurent said much of the success the city’s riverfront is seeing now is the result of Knopp’s efforts, beginning in years past.

“Nobody knew who this guy from Oklahoma was. A few took a chance, brought teams here to race, and had a great experience.”

“Over the years he’s invested countless hours in cultivating these relationships in both rowing and paddle sports, and our team has pulled off some major events.”

Laurent complimented the corporate community, and Oklahoma City residents regarding the reputation being built around the river, as well.

“Every time teams travel around the globe to Oklahoma City, they become fans.”

The Red Bull Rapids event will be yet another fan-filled adventure for the community. Gates open at 10 a.m., with the first competition taking place at 12 p.m. You can find more information on Red Bull’s website, www.redbull.com/rapidsokc.