THIBODAUX, La. (AP) - Once a staple of Cajun living, the pirogue has evolved into a novelty item, largely replaced by plastic kayaks that can be purchased at outdoors stores and big-box retailers.

After nearly 20 years, pirogue racing returned to the Town of Jean Lafitte Saturday (July 21) at the town's newly opened Jules Nunez Seafood Pavilion and AJ & Sheron Fabre Market on Bayou Barataria.

Water, speed and the Louisiana bayou may be in the blood of the LeBlanc family in Lafitte. Malcolm LeBlanc held the title in the World Champion Jean Lafitte Pirogue Race for 10 straight years in the ...