A race on the bayou will be held on May 10 as the Tour du Teche Chitimacha once again comes to the Teche Area.

The Chitimacha Race will span 10 miles of the Bayou Teche starting at Jeanerette City Park and ending at the Chitimacha Boat Launch. 

Kayaks, canoes, pirogues and SUPs will all be allowed as part of the event, and registration is still open for all interested to participate. 

Tour du Teche schedules races on the famous Bayou Teche throughout the year, culminating in the 135-mile Tour du Teche Race that spans the entire waterway in October. 

The Chitimacha Race, while much more modest in its length and scope, still attracts dedicated kayakers from all over the state each year and offers a scenic landscape on the nationally designated water trail. 

The race will start at 7 a.m. when registration opens, and opening ceremonies begin at 9:15 a.m. followed by a boat check from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. The race officially kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

The bayou track will take paddlers from Jeanerette to Charenton, where the Chitimacha Boat Landing will be waiting at the end of the race. There are many classes of paddlecraft, and everyone interested in paddling is welcome to participate in the event, according to organizers.