Race info & Registration
Registration is available online below via Webscorer.
There will be NO onsite registration. Please follow the Webscorer link at the bottom of this page after reading the information that follows. Most of your FAQs are answered here! Online registration begins August 1, 2023 and ends September 23, 2023. When you go to the registration page on Webscorer, PLEASE READ THE EVENT NOTES. If you are still struggling with Webscorer and need us to walk you through it, please email riverratpaddle@gmail.com, and we will do our best to help.
***You must register at least 3 weeks prior to race day (by September 11, 2023) to guarantee your event shirt.
If you cancel more than 3 weeks prior to the event date, refunds may 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.
Race Schedule of Events
- Register online with Webscorer (see above).
- Packet pickup is at Alley Park in West Monroe (off Trenton Street) on Friday evening before the race from 5:00-7:00pm.
- Paddlers can drop off their watercraft at the starting point at Bayou D'Arbonne Boat Ramp, 2038 Bayou D'Arbonne Drive in West Monroe beginning at 6:30am Saturday.
- Drive vehicles to Lazarre Park at 703 South Riverfront in West Monroe (about a 15 min drive).
- Catch the shuttle buses in the parking lot at LaZarre Park (busses leave at 7:45, 8:00, and 8:15am), they will return you to the starting location.
- Mandatory pre-race safety meeting in the boat launch parking lot at 8:30am.
- Paddlers will leave the starting line when the gun goes off at 9:00am.
- Paddle your way to the finish line at Lazarre Park.
- Retrieve your watercraft.
- Enjoy the food and after party!
Sign-In and Packet Pick-up
Packet Pickup will be held on Friday evening, September 29, 2023, at Alley Park at Natchitoches and Trenton Streets in Downtown 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 7th Annual River Rat Paddle Challenge!
Morning of the Race
You can drop off your paddle craft at the Bayou D'Arbonne Public Boat Ramp at 2038 Bayou D'Arbonne Drive in West Monroe beginning around 6:30am, then please drive to Lazarre Park at 703 S Riverfront St in West Monroe (about a 15 minute drive). Park in the designated parking area. 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!
Finish line at Lazarre Park on the River!
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 official finish line at Lazarre Park in West Monroe, LA. Make sure you paddle past the boat launch and keep going until you cross between the two red buoys while calling your race number to the timers. Then, 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 during registration or on site for $15 each. In order to expedite awards for our out of town guests, timing will stop about 2 1/2 hours after the race begins.
The Speedy Gonzales Award
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
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
The BIG CHEESE Award goes to the Rat Pack with the largest number of team members participating.
2021 Louisiana Delta Adventures Northeast Louisiana Paddler of the Year
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!