News from Tour du Teche in Breaux Bridge

BREAUX BRIDGE - Tour du Teche, Inc., begins its sixth season of races with some significant changes including a new race in May, more opportunities for youths, and an exciting new finish line for the Ecrevisse (Crawfish) Race in October.
Youth paddlers may now participate in any of the TDT races, including the Tour du Teche 135. The only extra requirement for the big race is that any boat without a paddler 18 or older must have a coureur des bois (CDB).
A coureur des bois, or bank runner, is highly encouraged but not mandatory for adult paddlers. TDT officials will ferry supplies to the various checkpoints for adult teams without a CDB.
Of course a parent or legal guardian must sign a waiver of liability for paddlers 17 and younger.
The new race, the Chitimacha, is a 20-mile “sprint” from the New Iberia City Park to the Chitimacha Nation near Charenton on Saturday, May 16.
The Voyageur Race Division will start at 9 a.m. and the Pro Race Division at 11 a.m. Check www.tourduteche.com for more information.
Entry fee is $50 per paddler.
The finish line for the Crawfish Race on the Friday of the Tour du Teche 135 will be at Poche Bridge, at a landing made available by Poche’s Market and Restaurant. The broad grassy bank is kayak- and canoe-friendly, and the near proximity of a first-class Cajun restaurant will make the arrival all the more pleasant for Crawfish participants. Ditto the wait for CDBs, as Poche Bridge will also be a checkpoint for TDT 135.
It shortens the Crawfish Race from 34 to 30 miles. Nobody is complaining.
Tour du Teche veterans, including paddlers and CDBs, qualify for a 20 percent discount on fees for TDT VI if registration is received by Saturday, May 30.
General registration opens Monday, June 1 and closes Saturday, Sept. 12. Extended registration, with higher fees, is Sept. 14-26.
Tour du Teche VI includes the TDT 135, Port Barre to Berwick, 135 miles, Oct. 2-4; Ecrevisse (Crawfish), Port Barre to Poche Bridge, 30 miles, Oct. 2; Acadien (Acadian), Port Barre to St. Martinville, 49 miles, Oct. 2; Sauce Chaude (Hot Sauce), St. Martinville to New Iberia, 24 miles, Oct. 3; Sucre (Sugar), St. Martinville to Franklin, 59 miles, Oct. 3; Ours Noir (Black Bear), New Iberia to Franklin, 35 miles, Oct. 3; and the Petrole et Essense (Oil & Gas), Franklin to Berwick, 27 miles, Oct. 4.
Other TDT races during the year are Top of the Teche, Leonville to Arnaudville, 7.7 miles, April 18, and Petit Tour du Teche, youth races ranging from 250 yards to one mile held at Parc des Ponts de Pont Breaux in Breaux Bridge Aug. 1.
For more information go to www.tourduteche.com.