The 2023 Kayak Fishing World Championship arrived in the Upper Cumberland Tuesday with a Parade of Nations through downtown Cookeville.
Putnam County Visitors Bureau Marketing Manager Tessa Davis said a similar but smaller competition was held in Cookeville in 2019, and this is the first time the Upper Cumberland will be hosting the World Championship. She said teams from several countries are coming to compete.
“They’re going to be fishing on Center Hill Lake this Friday and Saturday, and it’s the USA team, as well as international teams,” Davis said. “We have teams from Brazil, Guatemala, Cuba, Italy, Canada, and England.”
Davis said after the last event in 2019 there was a plan to have the World Championship here sooner, but the Pandemic delayed the plan until this year. She said Cookeville was chosen because of the popularity and size of Center Hill Lake. She said the last Championship was won by England.
“USA is really excited to compete against them this year on their home turf,” Davis said.
Davis said the event will also be good for the local economy, with teams supporting local businesses before and during the event.
“It has done a lot because they are staying here, they are going to be dining here,” Davis said. “They’re going to be downtown for the parade, and hopefully do some shopping with us, and help us promote our visitor’s bureau and downtown area.”
Davis said teams will be practicing Wednesday and Thursday, with competitions taking place Friday, and Saturday, and an awards ceremony and dinner Sunday Night.
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