Tour du Teche Kayak Races - Photos!

[Tony B]

The weather was spectacular today and a what a great day for some kayak races! The annual Tour du Teche races were held today with racers from all over the country converging on the Bayou Teche. This portion of the race was called the Hot Sauce and went from St. Martinville to New Iberia (Race 4) at a distance of 24 miles. TheKayakForum.com crew was on hand at the Loreauville bridge to shoot some cool aerial shots of the racers as they passed by.

Here's some more info on the races:

Tour du Teche 135 is an annual race for canoes, kayaks, pirogues (the traditional Cajun canoe), and SUP’s along the entire length of Bayou Teche in southwestern Louisiana, a total of 135 miles including small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River. It’s a three-day staged race beginning the first Friday in October.

There are two classes of Tour du Teche 135: Pro Race, in which some of the fastest boats and paddlers from around the world vie for cash prizes; and Voyageur Race, or recreational, where the participants challenge themselves as well as each other for trophies, bragging rights and adventure. Voyageurs may opt for shorter races held in conjunction with Tour du Teche 135.

Tour du Teche 135 was begun in 2010 with the dual purpose of introducing the beautiful Teche Country to paddlers and other eco-tourists from beyond and to illustrate for its residents the recreational, aesthetic, cultural and economic value of Bayou Teche. Since the race’s inception, these two groups, visitors and local folk, have met and mingled in happy expositions of music and cuisine that give Tour du Teche 135 it’s reputation as moveable party as well as a tough series of paddle marathons.


Enjoy the photos and spread the word about TheKayakForum.com!