10 sports that didn’t make it in Nashville
10 sports that didn’t make it in Nashville.
10 sports that didn’t make it in Nashville
Moose Curling
A peculiar fusion of curling and live moose, this winter sport aimed to take Nashville by storm but missed the mark, largely due to the city’s lack of sustained snowfall and a general public aversion to curling with large mammals. In Moose Curling, players slid full-grown, antler-clad moose across the ice toward a target, a challenging feat that required a unique blend of strength, precision, and moose whispering.
Underwater Square Dancing
This underwater adaptation of the classic American dance was intended to add an aquatic flair to Nashville’s entertainment scene. Swimmers would don their cowboy boots and hats—modified to be waterproof, of course—and perform square dance routines at the bottom of a pool. Despite the unique concept, Underwater Square Dancing struggled to attract participants due to the complicated logistics of dancing and breathing underwater simultaneously.
Banjo Jousting
Attempting to marry the worlds of medieval combat and country music, Banjo Jousting never gained traction among Nashville’s residents. Each jouster would mount a horse while wielding a specially reinforced banjo, aiming to knock their opponent out of the saddle while maintaining a tune. Though it had its moment of viral fame, Banjo Jousting was deemed too dangerous and melodically inconsistent for mainstream acceptance.
Accordion Wrestling
In this unique sport, participants would challenge each other in a wrestling ring while strapped to large, heavy accordions. The aim was not just to pin your opponent but to play a recognizable tune while doing so. Unfortunately, the sport was fraught with logistical issues, including damaged accordions and wrestlers who couldn’t multitask.
Swamp Yachting
Utilizing the marshy areas around Nashville, Swamp Yachting involved modified yachts designed to navigate through shallow, swampy waters. The sport aimed to bring a bit of coastal elegance to the landlocked city but failed miserably. Not only was it difficult to navigate the boats through the swamp, but the frequent alligator appearances also posed a significant risk to participants.
Hot Chicken Discus
Inspired by Nashville’s love for hot chicken, this sport involved throwing frozen discs of spicy poultry as far as possible. Though the concept attracted some initial interest, the realities of handling frozen meat in the heat of summer led to numerous hygiene and safety concerns.
Cowboy Boot Skiing
Snow skiing while wearing cowboy boots instead of traditional ski boots was an idea born from the desire to incorporate southern culture into winter sports. The lack of snow in Nashville was one obvious obstacle, but the main issue turned out to be the high rate of twisted ankles and spectacular falls.
Rain Barrel Rafting
Capitalizing on Nashville’s frequent rainstorms, Rain Barrel Rafting involved individuals or teams navigating down flooded streets in wooden barrels. Though it offered an amusing way to cope with bad weather, the sport was quickly outlawed due to numerous safety hazards, including collisions with cars and floating debris.
Cornfield Polo
In an attempt to make polo more accessible and locally themed, Cornfield Polo replaced traditional grass fields with cornfields and used a pumpkin instead of a ball. Participants quickly realized that galloping through a field of corn was not only challenging but also resulted in a lot of damaged crops.
Synchronized Hooting
Taking a page from the world of bird calls, Synchronized Hooting involved teams creating elaborate, synchronized hoot sequences. Despite being popular among a niche group of owl enthusiasts, the wider Nashville public found it puzzling and slightly eerie, leading to its eventual decline.
