There will be NO onsite registration on race day. Please follow the Webscorer link at the bottom of this page. Online registration begins August 1, 2022 and ends September 26, 2022.
You must register at least 3 weeks prior to race day (by September 11, 2022) to guarantee your event shirt.
If you cancel more than 3 weeks prior to the event date, refunds will be issued via PayPal less $3 processing fee. If you cancel less than 3 weeks prior to the event date, refunds will be given minus $20 and event shirts can be picked up at H2Go in Monroe.
Packet Pickup will be held on Friday evening, September 30, 2022, at Alley Park at Natchitoches and Trenton Streets in West Monroe, 5:00-7:00pm. It s a fabulous location to pick up everything you'll need for race day, have a meet and greet with your fellow River Rats, and enjoy some of the best food, beverages, and shopping around! There will be a live band and food trucks present for Ouachita Live. I'm not saying you can't pick up your goodies on race day, but we highly encourage participants to come Friday to avoid a huge rush and delays on race morning.
Special thanks to The City of West Monroe for providing us with event locations for the 6th Annual River Rat Paddle Challenge!
You can drop off your paddle craft at the Bayou D'Arbonne Public Boat Ramp on Bayou D'Arbonne Drive in West Monroe beginning around 6:30am, then please drive to Lazarre Park on the River at the corner of Hamilton and Thompson St in West Monroe (about a 15 minute drive). Park in the parking lot. We plan to have school busses picking up racers from this parking lot and shuttling them back to the starting line. The race will begin with a mandatory safety briefing at 8:30am in the parking lot of the Bayou D'arbonne Boat Ramp. The starting gun goes off at 9:00am!
Only a few will rise to the CHALLENGE of crossing the original finish line at the Endom Bridge within the one hour mark, but all will race (or leisurely paddle) to the new official finish line at Lazarre Park, at the corner of Hamilton and Thompson St., West Monroe, LA. Join us for the after party! Food, fun, and frosty cold beverages await you at the finish line while you enjoy the awards presentations! The after party is free to the public. Lunch will be provided by Catfish Cabin (one lunch is included with event registration), and additional plates may be purchased on site for $15. In order to expedite awards for our out of town guests, timing will stop about 2 hours after the race begins.
Located below is a PDF of this year's race rules; all of the changes from last year to the rules, are indicated in RED.
Also, located below is a PDF of the boat classes for this year's event.
The Speedy Gonzales Award goes to the River Rat Pack team that is able to finish the course in the fastest time. Time will be calculated on the third member of each team's time as they cross the finish line.
The "I Smell A River Rat" Award goes to the Rat Pack team that captures the spirit of the Ouachita River Rat: a helping of camaraderie, ecclectic theme, with just a dash of full-blown crazy!
The BIG CHEESE Award goes to the Rat Pack with the largest number of team members participating.
Leslie Green was honored as the LDA Northeast Louisiana Paddler of the Year for 2021. Leslie has been involved with The River Rat Paddle Challenge since the beginning, volunteering in numerous capacities, although you may remember her best for the over the top themes she and her illustrious Rat Pack have pulled off over the years, and they have been the recipient of the Spirit of the Ouachita Award more than once! She is also an extremely dedicated wildlife rehabiiltator, so when she isn't out paddling on the bayou, she is caring for all the injured or orphaned wildlife that she ultimately returns there. Congratulations!
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