Rubber Duck Race
The search for
The Quickest Quacker
In town

A rubber duck race is an increasingly common and always popular fundraising idea.

There is an initial outlay for the rubber or plastic ducks but this is easily recouped and the costs are then negligible in subsequent years. You might actually be able to rent or borrow some from another organisation who run a duck race in another location.

An alternative to ducks is to run an event called Message In A Bottle. Simply use plastic water bottles each containing a piece of card with the name of the owner.

The number of ducks you need can vary from 50 or so up to several hundred.If buying in bulk contact a wholesaler.

All the ducks are carefully numbered in waterproof pen. Contestants then pay to sponsor a duck. This is generally done in the days building up to the race but can be done on the day at a suitable location.

Don't forget to really "big up" the event. Get the rivalry between different duck owners going. Perhaps you could give the ducks names and have a trophy -The Quickest Quacker Challenge Cup etc.

The local paper or radio station might be interested in a humourous, spoof interview with a duck trainer in the build up to the event

At the start of the race the sponsored ducks are all launched into the local river. It is usual to start at a bridge.

They then float downstream to an agreed finishing line.

The duck that crosses the line first wins.

A net needs to be put in place below the finish line to collect up all the also-rans. It is also usual for volunteers to follow the ducks downstream during the race to free any which get caught in reeds etc

Organising a Rubber Duck Race is a fun and different fundraising idea....................Hope your event is a quacktastic success!

To leave Rubber Duck Race and return to
The Better Fundraising Ideas Home Page please click here.