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A crowd watched from shore as 512 ducks (top) floated up to the Orewa estuary to the bridge. Some young swimmers took a closer look.
The weather – and more than 500 yellow plastic ducks – behaved themselves for the annual Ducky Derby in Orewa, ensuring the most successful Derby ever for Hibiscus Coast Kindergarten.
The event was first held by the kindergarten in 2009 and features family entertainment and a race of yellow plastic ducks down the Estuary. Ducks are pre-purchased by residents, corporates and organisations with great prizes up for grabs for the fastest ducks. This year an estimated profit of $15,000 was raised – $3000 more than last year.
Organisers had their fingers crossed right up to the start of the event, on Sunday, April 2, as heavy rain was predicted. However, this largely held off and a big crowd came to Western Reserve to enjoy the entertainment and watch the ducks race down the estuary. Volunteers from Orewa Surf Lifesaving Club placed 500 little ducks and around 12 larger ducks (purchased by corporates and local organisations) into the Estuary, just opposite the skatepark, and released them.
The ducks bobbed along in an almost straight line to the finishing point under the south bridge, where they were collected by the lifesavers. Some youngsters swimming in the estuary also helped with herding a few stray ducks.
The fastest duck belonged to one of the kindergarten’s families – the Drury family. They won a kayak, a two-night getaway in Whitianga and a family pass to Jump.
First corporate duck home belonged to Orewa Rotary Club, which will enjoy a workplace morning tea shout.
Ducky Derby organiser and Hibiscus Coast Kindergarten president, Fiona Hunt, thanks all the local businesses who provided prizes. Orewa Rotary also gave huge support. Thanks also go to the performers who entertained the crowd leading up to the race, including Orewa North School’s kapa haka crew, electric violinist Nick Jones and the All Star Infinity Cheerleaders.
The funds raised will be put towards artificial turf for the kindergarten’s play area as well as new decking and an office extension.
