The Grand Duck Race

The Duck Race arrived in the same, largely incidental but amusing way as the Christmas lights. Two members of the club saw a consignment of rubber ducks for sale and bought it for the club on a whim. After all, it was called The Duck Club! George Tempest, secretary and treasurer at the time, was annoyed that they had acted without consultation, but suggested that the ducks could be sold at a pound each and thus make something of a profit for their charitable funds.

However, a better idea emerged and thus the famous Duck Race came into operation. The Duck Race was, and is, one of the Duck Club’s main events of the year and takes place on the first May Bank Holiday. The two thousand ducks bought all those years ago have, of course, been added to over time; worn out ducks have been retired and modern replacements acquired. Now, over two and a half thousand ducks are tipped into the River Swale from the Green Bridge, cheered on their way by the many visitors and residents, who never tire of this spectacular sight. Excited spectators follow the race along the course of the river, as ducks crash over the Falls to the finishing line at the Batts, near Station Bridge.

Club members and volunteers use canoes, kayaks, nets and sticks to ensure that no duck gets stranded or abandoned. Money is raised through ticket sales, each ticket with a corresponding duck, and generous prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, with a consolation prize for the last duck home.