The Oklahoma City National High Performance Center is looking for the next generation of rowers, men and women, lightweight and openweight/heavyweight, to successfully represent the United States in international competition. 

This USRowing Training Center will be headquartered in the new Devon Boathouse scheduled to open during the summer of 2010. The $10 million, 33,000 square foot facility will offer an indoor rowing tank for sculling and sweep, an endless swimming pool, a wide variety of cross-training machines, a high-altitude chamber for both living and training and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning equipment. 

Presently, the center is based at the Chesapeake Boathouse and includes a new fleet of oars and shells (Empacher, Hudson, Concept 2 and more), a fitness center including ergometers (Concept 2 and others), and over twelve miles of trails for running and cycling.

The Oklahoma City National High Performance Center emphasizes proven methods in sports science and the latest advances in performance technology in an effort to enhance an athlete's chances for success in competition. Some examples of sports science and performance technology currently being utilized include video analysis (Dartfish, BioRow), biomechanics (Peach, BioRow), and human physiology (Lactate, VO2) testing. Sports psychology and nutrition consulting services are in development. Sports medicine and athletic training resources are also available.

The Oklahoma River’s 2,000-meter sprint course and two 4,000-meter training courses, combined with the region’s temperate weather, make it possible to row year round. The Oklahoma City Boathouse District includes plans for four additional boathouses, a whitewater rafting and kayak center, a finish line tower and a race venue including grandstands, 2,000-meter wind screen, permanent lighting for night racing and stadium-sized jumbo-tron screens.

Applications for residency are available by request to the Director of the OKC NHPC, USRowing Coach John Parker at john@usrowing.org and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the remaining nine spaces (12 total) are filled. Residency for qualified applicants can include some or all of the following elite athlete services:

•Subsidized housing for qualified applicants
•Job mentoring program with internship opportunities among Oklahoma City corporations
•Injury prevention and rehabilitation resources 
•Tuition waivers at Oklahoma City University's undergraduate and graduate programs
•Athlete support for domestic and international competition

The Oklahoma City National High Performance Center's team plans to begin training January 4, 2010 on the Oklahoma River. Arrangements can be made on an individual basis to begin your residency before that date.