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CLERMONT COUNTY WINS BID TO HOST 2020 ACA SPRINT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BATAVIA, OH, SEP. 5, 2019 –  The Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau is set to host the 2020 ACA Sprint National Championships in collaboration with the American Canoe Association (ACA). The canoe and kayak sprint event will take place on Harsha Lake at East Fork State Park in Bethel, OH, just 30 minutes east of Cincinnati. Event dates are set for July 28-31, 2020.

“We are excited to host the ACA Canoe and Kayak Sprint National Championships in Clermont County,” said Jeff Blom, President of the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The ACA chose Clermont based on our event management experience with rowing, great local organizing committee (LOC) and the amazing volunteer support we have in this community,” he added.

Competition will take place on Harsha Lake, which will feature a nine-lane buoyed course covering an assortment of lengths including the 1,000, 500- and 200-meter distances. In addition, 3K and 5K marathon races will take place around the lake. Over 350 athletes are expected to compete from a variety of clubs across the United States. The age categories for this event ranges from Bantam, Junior, Senior and Masters, which will also include para-canoe and kayak racing.

“In 2020, Clermont County will host national championships in rowing, canoeing and kayaking. Outside of the Olympics, I am not sure that one venue has hosted both national championships in the same year, “said Blom. “Clermont County will be the competitive paddling capital of the United States,” he added.

“The ACA is pleased to bring our 2020 USA Sprint Canoe and Kayak National Championships to East Fork State Park in Clermont County, Ohio,” said Jackie Nipper, ACA Event Manager. “Since the year 2020 is an Olympic year we anticipate a wide variety of competitive athletes from beginners to Olympic hopefuls,” she added.

The Queen City is no stranger to championship regattas. Harsha Lake is home to the USRowing National Championships through 2021 and previously hosted the USRowing Club Nationals from 2015-2017. The venue also hosts the yearly Midwest Junior Championship, Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club High School Championships and previously hosted the USRowing Youth Nationals from 1995-2010.

Aside from hosting regattas, Clermont County is home to Jim Terrell and Greg Steward. Terrell (from Milford living in San Diego) and Steward (from Williamsburg) bring canoeing history to Clermont. Together they competed in eight World Championships and three Olympic Games (’88, ’92, ’96).

“Clermont County and the Greater Cincinnati region will welcome our visitors during this exciting national championship event,” stated Blom. “The economic impact is significant, estimated at nearly a half a million dollars. Our hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail shops in the region will all enjoy increased business during the competition,” he added.

If you are interested in participating, volunteering or sponsoring the 2020 ACA Sprint National Championships, please contact the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 513-732-3600 or visit our website at www.visitclermontohio.com/aca2020.

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About the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a professional destination marketing and sales organization, whose mission is to strengthen the community by generating economic growth and vitality through tourism, overnight stays and encouraging visitor spending in the local tourism economy.

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