A BATTLE between wind and tide caused a slight delay to the start of Narooma Rotary’s Australia Day Duck Race, but then they were off.
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Exactly 1000 ducks were dropped off the bridge simultaneously by Rotarians and friends, watched by about a hundred people.
“To say the ducks then raced towards the finish line at Apex Park would be wishful thinking, so quick discussion among our race officials resulted in a decision to shorten the course,” race coordinator Jack Wightman said.
It proved a good decision because only a couple of hundred ducks managed to complete even the shorter course.
Most ducks preferred a spell in Mill Bay and so were disqualified, despite encouragement to complete the course by Rotary president Angie Ulrichsen disguised as Mother Duck in a duck costume.
First duck to cross the line was No. 657, the ticket held by Dalmeny local Paul Kelly’s ticket who won $1,000.
The last duck to cross the finishing line was No. 476, held by Shanna Provost of Narooma who won $100.
“It has been a great day and good fun,” president Angie said.
She expressed the club’s appreciation to the Narooma Surf Life Saving Club and VRA rescue squad recovery crews and all the kayakers and others who assisted with recovering the ducks.
The duck race raises funds for ShelterBox Australia and Narooma community projects.
The ducks were borrowed from Bermagui CRABS.