THIBODAUX — Ever dreamed of paddling down the bayou in a pirogue you made yourself? Master boat-builder Kenny J. Hebert will help students construct their very own seaworthy craft at the Jean Lafitte ...

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.

There is a long history of pirogues in Bayou Liberty. The long and narrow Cajun canoe-like boats were made by hollowing out cypress trees, but today they have flatter bottoms. Their design makes it ...