RIVERSPORT Foundation
RIVERSPORT Foundation Mission | We inspire excellence, enhance communities, and change lives through Olympic sports and outdoor urban adventures
The evolution of the RIVERSPORT Foundation from its earliest days as the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation until today.
Our story began in 2005 with a floating dock, a handful of rowing shells, a shipping container for storage and a plan to build a boathouse on the newly rejuvenated Oklahoma River. Then known as the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, our organization was created with the goal of bringing rowing to Oklahoma City and developing what would soon become known as the Boathouse District.
Today, the Boathouse District is a $100M+ development. We’ve expanded to include not only rowing but also kayaking, whitewater, sailing, dragon boating, adventure sports, running, cycling and our newest addition – surfing. We’re providing free youth outreach programs to thousands each year, support the visually impaired and military veterans in their quest to get on the water, and are receiving national recognition from the Outdoor Foundation for our efforts to build an outdoor culture in our city.
Our organization evolved and in 2020, so did our name – we are now RIVERSPORT Foundation.
We believe RIVERSPORT Foundation ties all of our initiatives – adventures, athletics, Olympic and outdoor programming – together seamlessly. So now it’s easier to see how your support of RIVERSPORT adventures and RIVERSPORT athletics also supports RIVERSPORT youth outreach.
The RIVERSPORT Foundation remains focused on changing lives for the better. We are helping Oklahoma City become a stronger, healthier community as people get involved in outdoor sports and recreation.
A U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, we are training the next generation of Olympic Hopefuls in both rowing and canoe/kayak, and we are at the forefront of innovation in sport as we bring AR, VR and eSports to the mix.
Every year the Boathouse District attracts people from across the country – and around the world – who travel here for world-class racing, adventure sports, recreation and relaxation. The future of RIVERSPORT grows more exciting with each day.
We hope you will join us in celebrating the beginning of this new era as RIVERSPORT Foundation and invite you to learn how you can get involved! [Send me more info]
Read more from Executive Director Mike Knopp