Weekend Event: Ōmokoroa's 'running of the ducks' set to help young sailors

John Budden with one of the 200 rubber ducks set to race this weekend at the Omokoroa Boat Club, raising money for young sailors. Photo/George Novak

The calm blue seafront at Ōmokoroa will transform into a sprawling yellow mass this weekend as the eighth "running of the ducks" gets under way.

The annual fundraiser event will involve 200 yellow plastic ducks racing each other at the Ōmokoroa Boat Club on Sunday. The event is a key fundraiser for the club and Ōmokoroa Point School, which have sold the ducks to eager punters hoping their duck will come first place when let loose. The duck race takes place after the club's dinghy rowing races at high tide in the harbour in front of the club deck.

Organiser John Budden said the ducks would be unthemed and would "float as nature intended".

The club and school sell the ducks for $2 each and after awarding $100 in prize money, they will share the remaining $300 fifty-fifty.

"This year despite the increased population we had no problem in selling [all of] the ducks at $2 each within the club and school," he said.

The duck race will be held on the same day the club holds its annual rowing races, which helps make the race a family day out.

"It is just a fun event for those who purchased a duck. Every dollar helps in any activity, but the club fully supports the junior sailing group as a community project," he said.

"There is no charge for club members' children to learn to sail and non-adults join as a junior member for $30 per annum for tuition and use of the club's sailing dinghies."

Budden said the ducks were supplied by Englefields at no cost "which helps with the event and for which we are very grateful".

"It is also a chance for the community to see all three of the club's rescue craft in operation rounding up the ducks post-race."

The club's fleet consists of nine optimists, three Vikings and five sunbursts.

What you need to know

What: Ōmokoroa Boat Club Duck Race

Where: In front of the Ōmokoroa Boat Club, The Esplanade, Omokoroa

When: Sunday, races from 9.30am and ducks released about 11am

Why: Raise money for Ōmokoroa Point School and the club's junior sailing group

Cost: $2 a duck