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
Follow us on Facebook for race updates, announcements, training opportunities and events.
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
(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
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)
https://www.tourduteche.com/tour-du-teche/maps
Current rules Tour du Teche 135 (see this set of full rules for the whole 135 and day races (3 day or single day combinations)
Tour du Teche Relay race rules three days - this is new and really fun and great way to paddle the course but not the whole way!
More Tour du Teche Resources (Updated)
TECHE Project Paddle Trail Planner PDF
Video of 2025 three-day Tour du Teche race focused on the winners Texas Young Guns (YouTube)
Sample Pit plan Distance and checkpoint list by Tave Lamperez (estimated arrival times)
Tour du Teche 135 Driving Guide from TDTIII - one big correction, checkpoint of day 1 shows Breaux Bridge instead of Poche Bridge (mile 30)
Video of Day 2 Key Stone Locks Portage from 2024 (YouTube) drone video - excellent view of first portage @3.5 miles day 2 St Martinville LA
2025 Race summaries and videos
1) short summary by Texas Young Guns - 6 person team by Annika Garcia
2) longer full summary and race video log 50 minutes by Sandy Yonley has drone video
Lodging and Accommodations
Lodging one page summary with links for TDT 135 - 2026
Primitive camping option for TDT 135 - 2026
Link to st Martinville camping https://campingonthebayou.com/
Contact the Race Director for suggestions and options (see top of Page)