Tour Du Teche
Tour du Teche 135 is an annual race for canoes, kayaks, pirogues (the traditional Cajun canoe), and SUPs along the entire length of Bayou Teche in southwestern Louisiana, a total of 135 miles (217 kilometers) 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 three (3) 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, and now the Relay option. In all three, 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 illustrating 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 its reputation as a moveable party as well as a tough series of paddle marathons.
