NEW IBERIA, La. --- Tour du Teche V, a series of marathon races on Bayou Teche for kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and pirogues, begins Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, in Port Barre, La. Participants compete for cash in the racing division and for trophies in the voyageur (recreational) division.

For the first time, a race will begin in New Iberia. The Black Bear portion begins at New Iberia's City Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, and ends in Franklin, 35 miles down Bayou Teche. The Black Bear joins the Crawfish, Acadian, Hot Sauce, Sugar and Oil & Gas races.

On Friday, Oct. 3, the Crawfish runs 34 miles from Port Barre to Breaux Bridge, and the Acadian is 49 miles from Port Barre to St. Martinville. On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Hot Sauce goes from St. Martinville to New Iberia (24 miles) and the Sugar is from St. Martinville to Franklin (59 miles). Finally, the Oil & Gas on Sunday, Oct. 5, runs from Franklin to Berwick (135 miles in stages over three days).

Voyageurs and short races start at 7 a.m. The racing division, which pays winners in cash prizes, starts at 9 a.m. each day.

Entry fees per paddler are $125 for racers, $80 for voyageurs and $60 for one-day races. For the first time this year, it is possible to register after the cut-off date but it will cost more. There will not be a single-blade class in the youth division at this year's festivities.

"Our thoughts are to eventually - not this year but maybe the next - eliminate single-blade classes from the racing division," said Ken Grissom, executive director of Tour du Teche. "Reducing the number of boat classes will put more cash in the winning pots." 

For more information on parish events and tourism assets, call the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at 337-365-1540 or visit www.iberiatravel.com

  

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