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Tulsa’s Great Raft race is dependent upon mother nature’s full support and cooperation, ensuring we have the water needed for a fun and safe race. In the event she doesn’t play nice and we are unable to secure a water sponsor, the event may be canceled. A full refund will be issued and as much notice as possible given to participants.
Packet pick up location will be announced in August. The week before the race all race participants are required to pick up their packet, sign the Raft Race waiver, and pick up their swag! Included is your official 2016 Raft Race participant shirt and coupons and special offers from our partners.
All racers will start at Sand Springs River City Park (2500 S River City Park Road, Sand Springs, OK 74063). The main road you will be exiting from into the park is W. Wekiwa Road. See maps for more detail.
From the start, racers will float 8 miles down the river to the finish line boat ramp at River West Festival Park (2105 S. Jackson Ave, Tulsa, OK 74107). This is where Oktoberfest is held. See maps for more detail.
The event will open at 7 a.m. on Monday (9/3) at Sand Springs River City Park. Wave launches will begin at 8 a.m. and launch every 30 minutes. Participants will receive an email with your wave number and time. A safety talk will be happening every hour on the hour by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and is required before entering the river.
Float time on the river can take anywhere from 2 – 5 hours.
The Finish Line Festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at River West Festival Park on the west bank of the Arkansas river in Tulsa. This is the same location as Oktoberfest.
All homemade rafts are required to drop their rafts Sunday starting at 11 a.m. i n River City Park. We will do raft drop off and check-in in waves Sunday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. You will be notified of your drop-off time via email before the race; it will coordinate with your wave time. The Coast Guard Auxiliary will be performing their vessel safety check at this time.
You will stage your raft in the staging area just above the boat ramp 30 minutes to 1 hour before your wave launch. For example, if your wave time is 10:00 a.m., you will go to the 8:30 safety talk, then move your raft to the staging area at 9:00 a.m. above the boat ramp. When the 9:30 wave launches you will move from the staging area down the boat ramp from 9:30 to 10:00 to be prepared for your mass start 10:00 wave launch.
Yes, the race will be timed this year. We will have two race categories, one for canoes, kayaks, SUPs, inflatable rafts, and the second for homemade rafts. We will also pick a winner for best raft theme/costumes.
If we experience bad weather or lightning, the race could be canceled or delayed. If we have a weather delay or lightning strikes while you’re on the river, safety boaters will notify you and you will pull to the bank out of the water. We will resume the race 30 min after the last lightning strike within 10 miles. If you haven’t launched yet, the wave launches will be delayed until 30 min after the last strike within 10 miles.
Yes. A coast guard approved life jacket is required for everyone entering the river and must remain on the entire time you are on the river.
Go to the registration tab and click the register button. You will be taken out of our site to the Great Raft Race IM Athlete page.
Any team size is allowed from a single participant and above. Please remember MAX RAFT SIZE RESTRICTION IS 12 ft x 16 ft.
There will be a kid zone at the end of the race during The Finish Line Festival.
Participant shirts that are included with registration will be included at packet pickup the week before the race. All other shirts and merchandise purchased will be mailed out at the end of each month it is purchased in.
No! Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, inflatable rafts are allowed. If you think it will float, it is probably allowed. MAX RAFT SIZE RESTRICTION IS 12 ft x 16 ft.
Go to the registration page and click the register button. You will be taken out of our site to the Great Raft Race IM Athlete page. A TEAM CAPTAIN MUST FIRST REGISTER HIMSELF AND THE TEAM NAME. THE TEAM CAPTAIN HAS THE OPTION TO REGISTER THE REST OF YOUR TEAM with THE NEEDED INFO LISTED ON THE REGISTRATION TAB. IF YOU ARE JOINING A TEAM MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP UNDER THE CORRECT TEAM NAME.
No pets are allowed.
Approximate river depth for the length of the race is 4.5 ft. The river varies greatly in depth, and some areas could be as shallow as 2 ft.
No shuttles or transportation will be provided. Please make necessary arrangements.
No, so please plan accordingly and secure your belongings either in your car or with someone.
Find out more about sponsorship and volunteering.
No, your team must be able to hand carry your raft at river entry and exit.