County tourism looking for nontraditional sports events

Alan Verlander of Airstream Ventures briefed the county’s Tourism Development Council on sports events coming to the county during the council’s Nov. 7 meeting.

Verlander said that with the county’s limited field inventory, his firm is focusing on bringing non-traditional events to Clay rather than the typical bat-and-ball events.

Verlander said booked events include a kayak bass fishing tournament in 2023, two youth lacrosse events in 2023, and an InSpire dance competition to be held at the Thrasher-Horne Center in 2023.

Verlander said his firm is in serious talks on behalf of the county with promoters of spike ball in 2023-2024, NXL paintball championships in 2023-2024, U.S. Strongman Competition in 2023, high school cross country in 2023, MotoSurf-MotoSkate in 2023, pro watercross in 2023-2024 and Super X in 2023.

“There’s not a great high school cross country meet in this area that is kind of branded well and marketed well,” Verlander said of the potential cross country event.  “So, we’re working with a company out of Jacksonville. They’re cross country coaches, so we’re working with them to develop a map here in Clay County to do one.”

Verlander said if the county can land a high school cross country meet, then it can aim for a college-level NAIA or NCAA Division 3 meet.

The Airstream Ventures president said MotoSurf and MotoSkate are returning to Lake Geneva in Keystone Heights in 2023.

“It was a great success, a nationally televised event,” Verlander said of the 2022 competition.

He added that the success of the 2022 MotoSurf and MotoSkate event had attracted the attention of the Pro Watercross tour, which features jet skis.

Verlander said the Pro Watercross tour organizer would be visiting Clay County soon, and Verlander is confident he will book Keystone Heights for a tour stop.

Verlander said his firm is in conversations with the American Junior Golf Association for a Clay County tournament, U.S. Archery, the NAIA for a college lacrosse tournament, and the U.S. Chess Association.