Just call him the King of Kubb. Eric Anderson is the founder and director of the U.S. National Kubb Championship held in Eau Claire every July. This year’s championship was held from July 15-16 and included 128 teams. He was also involved in getting Eau Claire officially named the “Kubb Capital of North America.” Eric is passionate about the community, involving himself and the organization with lots of outreach when it’s not kubb season.

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As the U.S. Championship organizer, every single year is so special. It is such an amazing weekend with so many wonderful moments each year.

What’s your passion?

Promoting and playing kubb for sure, but I am also into silent sports, Swedish bakery, trying to find ways to be a part of our neighborhood and the larger community, my daughters’ volleyball teams, and other family activities.

What’s your favorite local festival?

It was WHYS Radio’s Bluegrass Festival. Good music, wonderful food, and a really fun kubb tournament under the pine trees next to Lake Altoona. It was so much fun. Come on WHYS radio, bring it back.

Death bed, one meal from a local restaurant, what would it be?

I would for sure choose my wife’s homemade Swedish bakery, specifically cardamom rolls, and bisqvier, but for a restaurant, I would pick Thai Orchid’s green curry with beef (with four peppers), a side of sticky rice, spicy papaya salad, and a two egg rolls. Let’s go!!

Water Street or Downtown?

Downtown. I really like both, but right now Downtown has its best vibe since we moved here … so much more going on. And I love it when they have events that close Barstow to cars and open it up to pedestrians.

What is the most creative kubb team name you’ve ever seen?

There have been so many. I think a few are John Kubbar Mellencamp, Poplar Culture, Classy on the Grassy, Settlers of Baton, Lusty Kubbivores, and 2, 4, 6 Mafia.

What frustrates you about the Chippewa Valley?

I wouldn’t say anything frustrates me, but I do think we need to continue to focus and attend to what has traditionally made the Chippewa Valley a great place to live and raise a family and what people want in a community. 

Eric's Shoutouts

Local Support. “Since day one, we have had amazing support from the local media, Visit Eau Claire, and our sponsors here in the Chippewa Valley. It is unbelievable. So much more than what the vast majority of other tournaments get in their communities.”

All Local Kubb Teams. “The Chippewa Valley is known around the world as a hotbed of kubb. Each year, roughly half the teams in the Championship are local, which would make it the largest tournament in the country just with local teams.”

EC Parks Department. “The U.S. Championship is a destination for kubb players from around the world, and a big part of that is how good the field conditions are. The Parks Department takes such good care of it and has it in pristine condition for Nattys.”

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