Top of the Teche still open for registration

Paddlers can sign up to race the Top of the Teche the morning of the race, which is this Saturday, April 5.

Late registration will be 7-8 a.m. for youths and 9:30-10:30 a.m. for adults.

Top of the Teche is a 7.5-mile race for kayaks, canoes and pirogues from Leonville

The competition is for trophies and certificates, with divisions for men, women and youths 10 to 17 years old. Entry is $40 per paddler.

Proceeds from the race benefit the The Arnaudville Chamber of Commerce and the Leonville Volunteer Fire Department.

Boat classes are:

•Fourre Tout or Catch-All (Class A) – Limited to a maximum of four paddlers. No length limit. Paddlers may use either single or double blades and may switch between the two.

•Solo Double Blade (Class B) – May use a rudder.

•Tandem Double Blade (Class C) – May use a rudder.

•Solo Single Blade (Class D – No rudders allowed.

•Tandem Single Blade (Class E) – No rudders allowed.

•Solo Pirogue (Class F) – Must conform to the traditional cross-section of a pirogue (flat bottom, hard chines). No rudders allowed.

•Tandem Pirogue (Class G) – Must conform to the standard cross-section of a pirogue (flat bottom, hard chines). No rudders allowed.

•Pedal Drive (Class H) – May use a rudder, and single or double blade paddles in addition to pedal drive.

This year Top of the Teche will be run in two waves, with boys, girls and mixed youth divisions starting at 9 a.m., adult and mixed age divisions starting at 11 a.m.

Mandatory safety talks are at 8:45 a.m. for youths and 10:45 a.m. for adults.

Top of the Teche starts from the public boat ramp just below the La. Hwy. 31 bridge in Leonville. The finish is at Myran’s Maison de Manger just past the La. Hwy. 31 bridge in Arnaudville.

For more information query info@tourduteche.com.