Get your ducks in a row for the Great Tauranga Duck Race

The Great Tauranga Duck Race returns this May. Photo / George Novak

The annual Great Tauranga Duck Race is returning to The Strand with a commitment to covering some of the rising costs of three local surf lifesaving clubs.

Hosted by the Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club, the 2019 Great Tauranga Duck Race will be back on The Strand on May 5.

Club event leader Brett Bell-Booth said three local surf lifesaving clubs including Pāpāmoa and Ōmanu and the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service will be this year's beneficiaries.

"We are so blessed to live in a seaside paradise but we also need to keep our beaches safe," he said.

"Our surf lifesaving clubs work tirelessly to do this and Te Papa Rotary Club wants to support their efforts by making all three local clubs the beneficiary of this initiative."

There will be three duck races this year, including the General Duck Race, School's Duck Race and the Corporate Duck Race.

A grand prize of $1000 will be on offer in the General Duck Race, with $500 awarded for second prize and $250 for third - as well as plenty of spot prizes.

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty schools will be offered a free duck to race in the Schools Duck Race.

The highlight of the day will be the Corporate Duck Race where giant rubber ducks will be decorated by sponsor companies. There will be two categories this year - assisted and unassisted.

Businesses can buy a larger duck for $200 to decorate, get a selfie with and post to social media prior to race day.

Mainfreight and Ray White Tauranga are the main sponsors for the event.

THE DETAILS:
What: The 2019 Great Tauranga Duck Race
When: May 5, 10.30am
Where: The Strand
- Three races this year: public, schools, corporate duck races
- $1000 grand prize to be won, plus many more prizes
- Proceeds go to three surf lifesaving clubs, including Mount Maunganui, Ōmanu and Pāpāmoa
- Tickets on sale from today