FORT SILL, Okla. -- Hold on tight for a thrilling whitewater adventure along the Oklahoma River!

Wait did I say Oklahoma River and "whitewater adventure" in the same sentence?

I sure did!

This month Riversport Rapids, a $45.2 million, 11-acre whitewater rafting and kayaking center, opened in Oklahoma City right on the banks of the river. The attraction is part of the Boathouse District's Riversport Adventures, which has activities for all ages including a high-ropes course, a 72-foot slide and a zip line across the river (in addition to an area for younger children). The rapids are the newest jewel to the district's crown.

Visitors can come to the Riversport Rapids welcome center and purchase tickets for $39 and wait for their time to raft (tickets are also available online with the option to schedule a rafting slot for $5 eliminating the guessing game of when you may actually get on the water). Everything you need is provided. Just bring a change of clothes, a towel and shoes (water shoes if you have them, just not flip flops). There are lockers to store your items in as well.

Just as a note, the $39 is just for the Riversport Rapids section. An all-access day pass for Riversport Adventures gives you the entire area to enjoy. That cost is $49 with a family pack costing $45 per person with a four-person minimum. That's just a better deal to me.

Once you are ready to go, you'll be led to a place where you can watch a safety video and a raft guide to help answer questions and to make sure everyone has a fun, and safe, experience. The rapids can be changed to fit the needs of all user levels, from novice to Olympic champions.

Which is exactly what I saw when I visited: Olympic champions.

I didn't KNOW they were wanna-be Olympians until after I talked to them (I thought they worked at the rapids, boy did I feel silly after realizing they were in incredible shape and carrying their own equipment with their names on the side). The rapids has two courses, one for the average rapids adventurer, and the other course was for the 2016 Olympic Trials for kayak and slalom.

Visitors can enter for free and sit along the banks of the rapids watching those testing their skills and strength against the water (which is pretty powerful by the way -- the pumps they have can fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in 80 seconds). From their relatively dry seats (some shaded) they can watch the 15-20 minute trip rapid riders will take (the competition side is shorter at between 10 and 15 minutes). The trip includes the conveyor-belt ride to the top of the site which begins next to a pool where canoe and kayakers can practice (or learn) the skills they need to traverse down the rapids on their own.

I'm told around 2,000 people will be able to enjoy the rapids in a single day, making it one of the largest rapid sites in the world. The site also provides a grill and a grab-and-go bar, in addition to loads of seating. In the evenings bands will be invited to play on their stage near the water and there are plans to use a projector to show movies while movie-watchers relax on inner tubes. How fun is that?!?

The weekend I attended was the opening weekend and their line up included live music, food trucks and fireworks. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming events which I'm sure promise to be equally fun. I'm guessing the Fourth of July will be especially awesome on the water's edge.

So if you're wanting some fun that is unique and not terribly expensive (well, as opposed to flying to Colorado and testing the rapids there), consider visiting OKC and the newly opened rapids. Next time I go, I'll visit the other side (with its ropes course and giant slide) and let you know which one is more fun!

As a final note, the rapids are looking for people to hire as raft guides. They have week-long course you have to take but what a fun summer job that would be? Check it out!

For more information visit boathousedistrict.org/whitewater.

Related Links: