South Surrey duck race raises nearly $20,000 for marine search and rescue

Ducktona 5000 raised nearly $20,000 for local marine search-and-rescue efforts when it returned to Crescent Beach on Sept. 12. The event, one of Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 5’s two key fundraisers, released 3,750 yellow ducks into a sheltered race course.

Organizers said spectators along the shoreline and Crescent Beach pier cheered as the station’s crew released the ducks from a rescue boat. The sponsors of the top 10 ducks received prizes, while Darren Bridge, sponsor of the winning duck, received $1,000 in cash.

Participants could sponsor one duck for $5 or five for $20. Organizers said physical tickets sold out before the cut-off, and Crescent Beach Marina’s Tim Charles bought the remaining ducks allocated to online ticket sales so they could race as well.

Before the main race, sponsors and some Station 5 crew members competed while each guided a large inflatable yellow duck. Crescent Beach Marina participants finished first and second. Proceeds will support the volunteer crews’ work to keep local waters safe.