Tour du Teche

October 2-4, 2026

The 16th Annual Tour du Teche

Premier Event - October 2, 3 & 4, 2026

Join paddlers from across Louisiana and beyond for the 16th Annual Tour du Teche, a three day, 135 mile paddle race on the historic Bayou Teche from Port Barre to Berwick. The Bayou Teche is Louisiana’s only designated National Water Trail. Kayaks, Canoes, Pirogues and SUP’s welcome.

Whether you are competing solo, tandem, as a relay team, or racing one of our shorter distance events, the Tour du Teche offers a challenge for every paddler.

TDT 135 Registration is Open - REGISTER NOW

Choose your 2026 Tour du Teche race:

Tour de Teche 135 Race Weekend Schedule of Events

Important Safety Information Video

All racers are required (MANDATORY) to review the Tour du Teche Safety Video before race day. Recommended for all support personnel and fans. Video includes information about navigating the Key Stone Locks/portage.

LINK TO WATCHING THE SAFETY VIDEO

Basic Race Requirements

For every race:

• Each boat must have USCG-approved life jacket (PFD)

• Carry a whistle or sound-producing device

• Have a waterproofed cell phone with race official contacts

• Notify race officials if you withdraw from an event

• Follow all race director instructions and sportsmanship standards

• Tour du Teche Command Center official contact Tave Lamperez 630-605-0671

• Complete waiver(s) and obtain boat number before safety meeting

• Each participant must attend safety meeting before start of race

Participants age 17 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while on the water and in race staging areas.

IMPORTANT DETAILED TDT RACE RULES ADD LINK - Work in progress

Why Race the Tour du Teche?

The Tour du Teche is more than a race. It celebrates the culture, history and natural beauty of the Bayou Teche while bringing together paddlers of all experience levels.

Since its founding, the Tour du Teche has helped:

•Promote Bayou Teche as a National Water Trail

•Support local communities and tourism

•Encourage stewardship of Louisiana waterways

•Build a vibrant paddling community

Every mile paddled helps showcase one of Louisiana’s most unique natural and cultural treasures.

Additional Upcoming Events

Petite Tour Du Teche (Youth Races), August 22, 2026 LINK

Youth paddlers ages 5-17 compete in races ranging from 500 yards to 1 mile.

Location: Chitimacha Boat Launch, 3726 Chitimacha Trail 36 Par Rd 117, Charenton LA

Acadian Odyssey 8. 3 Mile Race 2027

Top of the Teche 7.7 Mile Race 2027

Chitimacha 10 Mile Race 2027

Tour du Teche (races held before October) Schedule of Events

Questions?

Contact Race Director Tave Lamperez

Cell Phone: 630-605-0671

Email: lamperez@netscape.net

LINK TO FACEBOOK PAGE

Area Water Levels

Bayou Teche @ Keystone Locks

Bayou Teche @ Port Barre (the beginning)

Graphs from the Teche-Vermilion.org Website

July 8-11, 2026 - Non Tour du Teche event - 60th annual White River Race, Bull Shoals, multi-day event, July 8 to July 11, 2026. 18 to 120 miles

CLASSES/CATEGORIES

(For race registration)

1. Paddle

S — Single Blade

Canoe-style (single-bladed) paddle only

Unlimited boat length unless entered in Recreation

D/S— Single and or Double Blades

Any paddle may be used during the race

Unlimited boat length unless entered in Recreation

2. Paddler

Solo-one paddler

Examples:

SOLO D/S M

SOLO S M

SOLO S F

Tandem-two paddlers

Examples:

TANDEM D/S

TANDEM S

TANDEM S Mixed

Big Boat-three to six paddlers

Examples:

BIG BOAT D/S

BIG BOAT S

4. Gender Categories

Male (M)

Female (F)

Mixed

Mixed teams currently race with Men until participation supports a separate category.

5. Boat

Kayak

Canoe

Pirogue (Cajun canoe)

SUP (Stand-up paddle board)

USCA Canoe/Special canoe category:

Single blade only

USCA length and width specifications

For more info contact TDT Race Director, Tave Lamperez

Phone: 630-605-0671

Email: lamperez@aol.com

Tour du Teche 135 mile race Boat Recommendation
The Tour du Teche 135 is a long-distance endurance race designed for experienced paddlers and boats suited for extended river travel. Recreational-class boats (boats 17 feet and under) are not recommended for the 135-mile course due to the distance, time on the water, and conditions that may be encountered.

Racers choosing to enter a recreational boat must understand the demands of the course and ensure their boat, equipment, and paddling ability are appropriate for this challenge. Safety remains the priority, and race officials reserve the right to address any safety concerns.

Class Adjustments

Classes may be combined or split depending on entries.

If more than three similar boats enter a category, additional subclasses may be created.

Changes can be made before race start.

Don’t see your boat selection, select “other.”

Any question, need help, etc.-contact TDT Race Director, Tave Lamperez

Phone: 630-605-0671

Email: lamperez@aol.com

MAPS

Tour du Teche Race Maps from our old website. Loreauville to New Iberia and Chitimacha races are covered in Map Day 2. Top of the Teche is covered in Map Day 1.

See maps (old)

The Maps and Driving Guide

https://www.tourduteche.com/tour-du-teche/maps