Kayak racing for youths to be held in Breaux Bridge Aug. 2

Petite Tour du Teche, kayak races for youths 5 to 17, will be held in Bayou Teche at Parc des Ponts here Saturday, Aug. 2.
Registration is 6-8 a.m. and the first race begins at 9 a.m.
The competition is within both age groups and boat classes. In addition to kayaks there will be a boat class for stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) for the first time this year.
The races are held around buoys, within view of spectators on the bank at all times. Beginning paddlers are welcome.
Petite Tour du Teche is conducted under the rules of the United States Canoe Association (USCA) which specifies the following courses by age group:

•Fledgling I – 5 to 7, course 250 yards.
•Fledgling II – 8 to 10, course 250 yards.
•Bantam – 11 and 12, course 500 yards.
•Juvenile – 13 and 14, course one mile.
•Junior – 15 to 17, course one mile.

Boat classes are K1 Racing (rudders OK), K1 Recreational (no rudders), K2 and SUP. K1 designates solo boats and K2 tandem.
The entry fee is $20 per paddler. Winners receive miniature cypress paddle trophies. IberiaBank, Louisiana’s largest bank, is now the major sponsor of the 135-mile, three-day Tour du Teche and its other racing events, Petite Tour du Teche, Top of the Teche from Leonville to Arnaudville.
Tour du Teche V, down the entire length of Bayou Teche from Port Barre to Berwick, will be Oct. 3-5.
For more information on any of the races, go to www.tourduteche.com, email info@tourduteche.com, or call Ken Grissom at (337) 394-6232.