Oklahoma City to Host the 2014 USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint Team Trials

More than 100 of the country's best sprint paddlers will descend upon the Oklahoma City Boathouse District for two days of intense racing. At stake - coveted spots on the U.S. National Teams for all age groups.  

The race marks the beginning of the 2014 season for most paddlers. Qualifying athletes will be nominated to compete in the Senior World Cups, Junior and Under-23 World Championships, Olympic Hopes Regatta, and Lake Placid International.

Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the weekend.

Among the many athletes vying to represent the U.S. internationally in the coming months will be Ryan Dolan (Kailua, Hawaii) and 2012 Olympian Tim Hornsby (Atlanta, Ga.) in men's kayak, Kaitlyn McElroy (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Maggie Hogan (Oklahoma City, Okla.) in women's kayak, and Ian Ross (Bethesda, Md.) and Ben Hefner (Gainesville, Ga.) in men's canoe. Click HERE for a list of participants.

"It's always nice being back [at the] start of the new season to see where everyone is at and begin the racing season," Dolan said. "I remember this point in the last quad. Time goes really fast and there is a lot of work to be done to get qualifications going next season already - everything depends on that."

The athletes will compete in 200, 500, and 1000-meter, singles and doubles, canoe and kayak races on the Oklahoma River. The event will also feature races in the sport of paracanoe. All races are free and open to the public.

The Boathouse District will also host the 2014 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships on September 24-28.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, USA Canoe/Kayak is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Canoe Federation. It governs the Olympic disciplines of Flatwater Sprint, Whitewater Slalom, the Paralympic discipline of Paracanoe and sanctions Freestyle, Marathon, Outrigger, Wildwater, Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak Polo, Dragon Boat and Canoe Sailing in the United States. For more information about USA Canoe/Kayak, please visit us on the web at www.usack.org, on Twitter at @usacanoekayak and Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/USACanoeKayak.