Top of the Teche
Click here for a registration form!
Questions? Call Nicole at 337.789.0319, or send her an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Return completed entry forms by mail to P.O. Box 1328, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517; or by fax to 337.359.1293; or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Rules & Regulations
1) Failure to follow any of the rules and regulations may result in disqualification from the race. These rules apply to all paddlers, team captains, coureur des bois, and support personnel registered or unregistered.
2) All entrants will be notified if any change to the rules and regulations are necessary prior to the race.
3) Teams are subject to random checks along the race route for adherence to all rules and regulations.
4) Paddler or coureur des bois must call Nicole 337.789.0319:
• Emergency: call 911 and Nicole
• You plan on stopping longer than 30 minutes and plan to continue race
• You plan on pulling out of the race, at any point, including checkpoints and finish lines
• Your boat is out of Bayou Teche for any reason
• Your boat is back in the water and plan to re-enter the race
Registration
5) General registration opens February 4, 2013. Registration fees are $40 per paddler.
6) Registration closes for boys, girls and mixed youth divisions at 8:30 a.m., and for mens, womens, and mixed divisions at 10:30 a.m., March 9, 2013. Paddlers choosing to register on the day of the event should have an entry form filled out prior to arriving at the event.
Liability
7) All team members shall enter the race at their own risk. Tour du Teche and its officials and sponsors are not responsible for accidents to personnel, or damage to boats or equipment.
8) All liability waivers shall be signed prior to the race. Paddlers and/or guardians must also sign off on having read and understand all rules and regulations.
9) Minimum age to race is 10. A parent or legal guardian shall be present to sign a waiver of liability for all minors ages 10-17. All ages are calculated as of March 9, 2013.
10) All registered racers are covered by insurance purchased by Tour du Teche. Your registration fee includes the premium for this coverage.
Safety
11) Under no circumstances shall any illegal drug be taken during the race period. Teams are not allowed to drink or have alcohol in the boat during the race. No paddler is permitted to be under the influence of alcohol on the water.
12) Each paddler must have in his or her possession in the boat a properly sized and in servicable condition United States Coast Guard approved Type I, II or III personal flotation device. FAA approved PFD shall have approved by USCG printed on the PFD to be valid. PFDs must be readily accessible and not under a deck. All paddlers under the age of 17 are required to wear PFDs at all times when on the water. PFDs must be on and secured at boat check.
13) Boat shall have adequate flotation to float while swamped. Life jackets cannot be used for this purpose.
14) Teams are required to carry one fully charged cell phone enclosed in a water proof container for safety and emergency use. Telephone number shall be given to race official at boat check in.
15) Each team is required to have a first aid kit in the boat.
16) Each paddler shall have one audible signaling device (pea-less type whistle or airhorn).
17) Teams may replace paddles, PFD or equipment at any point along the race course.
18) United States Coast Guard, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, law enforcement agencies and Tour du Teche officials have the authority to disqualify any paddler or boat for violation of any rule of USCG, LDWF or Tour du Teche. Boat shall be immediately removed from the race.
19) Boat, equipment check, and safety talk are mandatory.
Boat
20) Only human muscle powered boats will be permitted to race. Rowing gear, motors, or engines of any kind are prohibited.
21) Your boat must meet all specifications of class in which you are racing.
22) Teams must finish the race in the same boat they started in.
23) All members of a team shall travel in the same boat. Should a team member drop out of the race for any reason, the team member can not re-enter the race or be replaced by another paddler. Relays in any form are prohibited.
24) Teams may bring their own food and drink in the boat or get food or drink at any point along the race course. Being resupplied by boat, paddle or motor driven, is prohibited.
25) A number for your boat will be assigned to you and placed in your information packet. The packet can be picked up after the boat and equipment check. The number must be affixed one to each side of the bow of your boat. Those boats that don’t have accommodating bow for this purpose shall affix the number on the decks fore and aft.
26) Names for boats should be painted or affixed to each side of the boat. Not required but strongly recommended. Individual boat sponsor names and logos are encouraged to be affixed to the boat.
27) You cannot interfere with another team’s progress.
28) No intentional littering of the bayou or its banks.
Protest
29) A paddler who wishes to lodge a protest shall submit the protest to the Executive Director or Director Generals only, in writing and signed, accompanied by a $50.00 cash protest fee. Should the protest be upheld by Tour du Teche officials, $25.00 will be refunded. A person who lodges a protest should be prepared to provide evidence of the infraction being protested. The decision by TDT Executive Board is final.
30) Written and signed protests must be filed by 2 PM race day.
Schedule
Leonville Boat Launch (intersection of La 31 and Mistric St. · 30 28 24 N 91 58 43 W)
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Late registration and boat check for BOYS, GIRLS, and MIXED YOUTH divisions.
8:45 a.m.
Safety talk for BOYS, GIRLS, and MIXED YOUTH divisions, and opening ceremonies.
9:00
Start race for BOYS, GIRLS, and MIXED YOUTH divisions.
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Late registration and boat check for MENS, WOMENS, and MIXED divisions.
10:45 a.m.
Safety talk for MENS, WOMENS, and MIXED divisions.
11:00 a.m.
Start race for MENS, WOMENS, and MIXED divisions.
Myran's Maison de Manger (1023 Neblett Street, Arnaudville, LA 70512)
2:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony.
Divisions
Mens
Open to all males 18 years and up.
Womens
Open to all females 18 years and up.
Mixed
Any combination of men, women, or youth. One paddler must be at least 18 years. Limited to Classes A, C, E, G or H.
Boys
Open to all youth males 10 to 17 years.
Girls
Open to all youth females 10 to 17 years.
Mixed Youth
Any combination of boys and girls 10 to 17 years. Limited to Classes A, C, E, G or H.
Classes
Class A (Fourre Tout – Catch All)
Limited to a maximum of four (4) paddlers in the boat. There shall be no specification as to the type or size of the craft used except that such craft must be propelled only by human muscle power, can be paddled using single and/or double blade. This class consists of all those boats which, for one reason or another, (double blades, rudders, number of paddlers, etc.) do not fit into any of the other classes.
Class B (Solo Double Blade Paddle)
Open or closed deck, rudder or no rudder, limited to one paddler, double blade only.
Class C (Tandem Double Blade Paddle)
Open or closed deck, rudder or no rudder, limited to two paddlers, double blade only.
Class D (Solo Single Blade Paddle)
Limited to one paddler, single blade paddles only, no rudders allowed.
Class E (Tandem Single Blade Paddle)
Limited to two paddlers, single blade paddles only, no rudders allowed.
Class F (Solo Pirogue)
Limited to one paddler, single blade only. Must have sufficient buoyancy if boat were to capsize. Must be flat bottomed with hard chines. No rudders allowed.
Class G (Tandem Pirogue)
Limited to two paddlers, single blade only. Must have sufficient buoyancy if boat were to capsize. Must be flat bottomed with hard chines. No rudders allowed.
Class H (Pedal Drive)
Solo or tandem. All pedal drive boats, can be paddled with single or double blade and/or pedaled. Rudder or no rudder.