'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
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.