Tour du Teche praised as a success

Young and old, paddlers representing nine states arrived in Berwick Bay Sunday as they completed the 135-mile Tour du Teche canoe, kayak and pirogue race through the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country.
Beginning in Port Barre Friday, paddlers in the staged race stopped in St. Martinville Friday night and in Franklin Saturday.
Some 60 boats filled with paddlers representing nine states registered to take part in a portion or all of the race. There were 20 that crossed the finish line Sunday, Tour du Teche Director General Raymond Pellerin said.
There are two classes of Tour du Teche: Racing, in which some of the fastest boats and paddlers from around the world vie for cash prizes; and Voyageur, or recreational, where the participants challenge themselves as well as each other for trophies, bragging rights and adventure. Voyageurs may opt for shorter races held in conjunction with Tour du Teche, according to the event website.
The youngest participants ever to complete the full 135 miles were identical triplets Carson Pellerin, Peyton Pellerin and Conrad Pellerin, who finished with their dad, Andre Pellerin, second in their division, according to Andre Pellerin.
The oldest paddler to complete the race was 63-year-old Elmer Landry who finished as part of a three-man boat team, Pellerin said.
“It’s a very demanding race. It’s grueling. It’s tougher than most people realize doing 135 miles paddling,” Pellerin said.
He said the wind was tough on the paddlers Sunday.
“They were really having a tough time once they got into the Atchafalaya River,” facing a 10-12 mph headwind, Pellerin said.
At the Town of Berwick, Misty Pillaro, town bookkeeper and event organizer, said more than 1,000 people joined the party at the finish line.
“It was a good turnout. It was a really good day,” Pillaro said.
There were 25 cars entered in the car show sponsored by Cypress Corvette Club; the obstacle course was a huge hit and helped raise about $500 for Berwick Project Graduation; and a total of 39 vendor booths featuring food, games and crafts kept visitors entertained, Pillaro said.
The Berwick Volunteer Fire Department sold most of the three large pots of jambalaya available, she added.
Music, both live and via sound system, was available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Gone Pecan.
“We’re looking forward to hosting the finish line again next year,” Pillaro said.
Pellerin praised the town, saying “anything and everything we need, we ask and it’s there. I just can’t say enough about them.”