U.S. KAYAK OPEN EXPANDS TO INCLUDE TWO YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

April 27, 2021 - COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In addition to the more than 150 competitors scheduled to arrive in Cookeville for the 2021 U.S. Kayak Open, approximately 100 high school fishing anglers, along with parents and guests, are now set to take to the water for the opportunity to compete for two national titles simultaneously, the Kayak Bass Fishing HIGH SCHOOL Open and the Youth U.S. Kayak Open Fishing Championship.

Arriving September 10, with subsequent days of competition and education, youth anglers fishing in the KBF event have the option to participate in two, one-day competitions.

If anglers choose to compete both days, their catches will additionally qualify them for the Youth U.S. Kayak Open Fishing Championship, an expansion of the 2021 U.S. Kayak Open.

“The youth series provides high school kayak anglers opportunities to compete and hone their skills against teams from other schools on a state, regional and national level,” said Chad Hoover, KBF founder and president.

“Partnering with U.S. Angling and locating this in Cookeville, we couldn’t ask for a better host community and incredible fishing waters,” added Hoover.

The KBF HIGH SCHOOL Series Tournament consists of a virtual online series from May to September qualifying for the KBF HIGH SCHOOL Championship on Laurel River Lake in Corbin/London, KY, then the KBF HIGH SCHOOL Open on Center Hill Lake and select area waters in Cookeville.

“Adding this event to the U.S. Kayak Open only celebrates the fast-growing kayak fishing movement even more by involving our youth,” said Tony Forte, U.S. Angling founder and USA Bass/USA Kayak Fishing president. “Plus, Cookeville is a beautiful place and America's best kayak destination.”

Cookeville hosted the first Pan-American Kayak Bass Championship welcoming some of the world’s most elite anglers in 2019 and has been featured in recent years on the Outdoor and Sportsman Channels in addition to the World Fishing Network, e.g., Major League Fishing GEICO Select Series, Fishing University, and Kayak Bassin’ TV.

Open to national and international anglers, the U.S. Kayak Open is set for September 9-12, 2021. An inaugural world championship competition is scheduled to take place in May 2022 with 100 to 150 anglers accompanied by fans and families for six days of activities.

Participants are expected to arrive early for pre-fishing various area waters. Following the competition, they are also anticipated to stay and explore more local attractions, waterfalls, downtown life and more.

For more information about sponsorships or other involvement in these events, inquiries may be directed to: info@visitcookevilletn.com.

For more information about U.S.A Kayak Fishing, click here.

For more information on the KBF HIGH SCHOOL Series Tournament, click here.

About the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau: A program of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the visitors’ bureau serves as the designated destination marketing organization (DMO) for Putnam County with the objective of inspiring travel and overnight stays resulting in increased sales and lodging tax revenues for the purpose of providing a tax relief for local residents.

For examples of the work being done by the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau, go to: VisitCookevilleTN.com.

Putnam County currently ranks 16th of Tennessee’s 95 counties in visitor spending. Most recent economic impact numbers (2019) report $145.45 million in visitor spending, generating $2.92 million in local taxes, an increase of 3.55 percent over the previous year and $8.82 million in state taxes, up 4.26%.

These tax revenue increases demonstrate the value of tourism in Putnam County, resulting in an annual tax relief to local residents. If not for visitor spending, each Putnam County household would pay $377.97 more in taxes each year.

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Cookeville, Tenn. to concurrently host Kayak Bass Fishing HIGH SCHOOL Open and Youth U.S. Kayak Open Fishing Championship as expansion of 2021 U.S. Kayak Open set for Sept.

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