Tulsa’s Great Raft Race Returns To Arkansas River: 'It Was A Lot Of Fun'

The Tulsa Great Raft Race returned to the Arkansas River for the first time in five years, bringing back more excitement than ever.

The rafts were out of the water as of 5 p.m., and the event went off without any problems. The only unexpected part of the race was its slower pace, which gave the rafters more time to enjoy the experience.

At the starting line in Sand Springs, hundreds of people gathered to either launch their boats or watch the spectacle. Rafts of every type entered the water, expecting a trip that usually takes two to three hours. For most, it took longer.

"The last couple of years when they let it out, before Zink Lake, the water was probably twice as fast, and we also had wind against us, so it took us a little longer this year," said Chris Hogueland.

But for the Talladega Nights team, the longer trip didn’t matter.

"It was a lot of fun. It took a while, but it was fun," said Katie Williams. "We had smoke bombs, and kayaks separated... a lot of hard work, it was great."

All along the banks and bridges, people watched to see boats in the water, marking the first public event on the river since the creation of the new Zink Lake.

"Man, it was a fun experience, first time for me," Dale Kimes said.

Kenneth Hall agreed. "Same for me—people were throwing water balloons... it was dope," he said.

At the bend in the river where the water can be shallow, the fire department and sheriff’s department had boats guiding people and standing by in case of trouble. The only problems encountered were the occasional shallow spots and unfavorable winds.

"I’ve seen years where they got stuck in places, and me and my brother would be out there helping people, actually," Dennis Treat said.