Ducktona 5000 returns to South Surrey waterfront Sept. 12

Thousands of rubber ducks are expected to race at Crescent Beach on Sept. 12 as Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 5 brings back its Ducktona 5000 fundraiser.

Pre-race activities begin at 1:30 p.m., with the main race scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Spectators are invited to Blackie Spit Park and Crescent Beach Pier. Each numbered duck will be released into a sheltered course monitored by search-and-rescue volunteers.

Supporters can sponsor one duck for $5 or five for $20 at rcmsar5.ca/events. More than 4,060 ducks were sponsored last year, and organizers are aiming for 5,000 this year. Sponsors of the first 10 ducks across the finish line will receive prizes, including $1,000 for first place.

Proceeds will help cover equipment, training, vessel maintenance and day-to-day operations for the volunteer station, which has served the community since 1998.