A goal at Oklahoma City’s Riversports Rapids, according to Executive Director Mike Knopp, is to be a model for development of youth participation in competitive disciplines such as whitewater slalom, extreme slalom and flatwater sprint heading into the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. (Photo provided)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Hundreds of athletes from around the world are expected to converge on Oklahoma City when the city’s Riversport Rapids whitewater center hosts the International Canoe Federation’s Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2026.
It will be the first time the championships will be held in North America in more than a decade and should serve as a tourist draw and weeklong promotional event for Oklahoma City.
The ICF announced over the weekend that OKC and Sarasota, Florida, had been selected to showcase upcoming international river sports competitions.
“Oklahoma City invested in a world-class whitewater rapids center and now, we’re seeing recognition from around the world,” Riversport Executive Director Mike Knopp said. “It’s a great moment for our city and state. Aside from the Olympic Games, this is the most significant event in any given year for the sport.”
It’s anticipated that the championships will attract nearly 400 river sports athletes from some 60 countries.
The ICF said Riversport’s success in hosting the 2021 Canoe Sprint Super Cup factored into the decision to locate the 2026 Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City. So did Riversport’s willingness to host the 2022 ICF Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) board and Canoe Sprint Super Cups after the events were displaced by the war in Ukraine.
“Oklahoma City is playing a significant role in bringing international paddle sports attention to the U.S.,” said Rok Sribar, general manager of high-performance programs for the American Canoe Association.
Sribar said there’s significant opportunity for Oklahoma City to benefit from the growth in competitive paddle sports that other countries have already experienced.
While the United States currently has more than 24 million canoe/kayak enthusiasts, the majority are involved only in the recreational side of the sport.
“Our goal,” Knopp said, “is to be a model for development of youth participation in competitive disciplines such as whitewater slalom, extreme slalom and flatwater sprint heading into the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. We’re investing in world-class coaching and making this an inclusive initiative at a level never seen before in either canoe/kayak or rowing.”
Established in 2005, Riversport is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has spearheaded the growth of rowing and canoe/kayak events in Oklahoma City with development of the $100 million Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River. Riversport already has gained a national reputation as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site for both rowing and canoe/kayak and has hosted Olympic trials as well as international competitions in both sports. Coached and recreational programs are available for youth, adults, collegiate, masters and senior athletes in rowing, sprint and slalom canoe/kayak, whitewater rafting, dragon boating, and stand-up paddle boarding.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said the Canoe Slalom World Championships will be the biggest and most prestigious event yet held at Riversport, “and more validation that we have built one of the greatest venues in the world.”
“The presence of athletes from over 60 countries over the course of several weeks in 2026 for training and competition will make Oklahoma City feel like the international city we know it to be,” Holt said. “This is a major win for this venue and our city, both in terms of exposure and the economic impact.”
Riversport focuses on breaking down both financial and cultural barriers to ensure those in underserved communities have access to Olympic and adventure sports and recreation. In the past three years Riversport has delivered over 80,000 hours of free programming through its Thrive Outside OKC initiative.
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World canoe championship to put OKC in spotlight - Journal Record
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