The city is rowing in rhythm in efforts to attract major athletic competitions on Lake Minneola.
The city’s Waterfront Park will be the site of the 2017 Sprint National Championship next summer, USA Canoe/Kayak officials announced this week.
The event will take place Aug. 2-5 2017 on Lake Minneola, which is home to the Clermont Boathouse and the site of national rowing and triathlon competitions.
Sprint races are expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes, coaches and spectators from around the country, officials said.
Committed to success
City Manager Darren Gray said Clermont is “committed to making the championship a success and are eager to show why we are the Choice of Champions.”
Clermont was picked after national officials considered several cities. Officials evaluated the venue and race course, among other elements. The 2016 competition, which wrapped up last weekend, was in Oklahoma City.
“USA Canoe/Kayak is excited to bring the 2017 Sprint Nationals to Clermont,” said Chris Barlow, USA Canoe/Kayak sprint high performance director. “We are looking forward to working with the South Florida Canoe/Kayak Club [the event manager] to make this national regatta a success for all the athletes, clubs and the entire Florida paddle sport community.”
Team USA Canoe and Kayak teams were in Rio de Janeiro to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.