'Fastest-growing sport in North America': Cornhole play expanding
Long known as a backyard game, the growth of Cornhole as a sport has been rapid.
There are currently more than 2,500 people playing the sport competitively in Ontario.
Of those 100 of them are here in the north, taking part in American Cornhole League (ACL) events.
A regional ACL tournament was held in the Sault, with dozens in attendance including travellers from Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
It is being called "the fastest-growing sport in North America" by many.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Sara Grisdale, the Organizer for the Twin Soo's Cornhole League agrees.
“Last winter we were seeing 6, 8, 10 players coming out,” said Grisdale.
“Now we’re seeing 20, 24 and we just keep spreading the word and every time someone new comes they tell their friends and they bring a new group.”
Geoff Waterman, the regional director for the ACL in the area said much of the rise in popularity is a result of the pandemic.
"It was one of the few sports where you could social distance while playing it with a mask, so ESPN jumped all over it," said Waterman, adding the attendance in Sudbury went up 400 per cent.
Not only is it a fun competition, but its accessible he said.
"You don't have to be extremely athletic," said Waterman.
Spencer Spears from the Sault began playing the sport in a setting many do.
"At the cabin with my buddies, having a couple drinks," he said.
Spears told CTV News getting involved in the competitive events has been a great time.
“Anyone can come out and play,” he said.
“There’s a skill level to mastering it, and getting a good mechanic down, but it’s so welcoming for anyone. Men, women, boys, girls, anyone can play it.”
Waterman's 10-year-old son Gude does not play – but attends many tournaments his parents run.
Despite little interest in the sport, he said the environment is something he loves.
“It’s a good atmosphere because all the people are having a good time and there’s no conflict,” said Gude.
Waterman said "anybody can throw a bag in a hole," but it is more than that when you reach a certain skill level.
“A lot of people who haven’t played it, or are seeing it for the first time don’t realize how technical it can be – a lot like golf.”
At this time there are no professional cornhole players from the north.
Organizers said if the sport’s popularity continues to grow they think that may not be the case for long.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.