Beccles Duck Race 2007Fed up with bathtub confinement, they have spread their wings and are heading for the River Waveney – Now in even larger numbers!
Race ducks are starting to arrive in town ready for this rather unique and hugely popular event. The simple fun of floating ducks up the river it seems fascinates us all, and for the price of just £2 per race duck everyone, young or old can take part. For your money you receive a fun afternoon out (although you don’t have to be there to take part) – You can watch as your duck competes for the title of 2007 winner and win a cash prize. Ducks are dramatically released from a net held high in the air by a crane standing on the old Beccles Bridge, you also have the knowledge that you are supporting a very worthy cause and at the end of it all you can claim your duck back. Now that is what I call value for money!
Other entertainment on the Quay – The Radio Broadland Road Show, Waveney Water Lions – dog water rescue display team and there will also be a big variety of stalls and children’s rides.
The ducks will be on sale from the end of July in a number of shops in Beccles town centre:
The Little Bear Shop
Bliss Fashions
Anglia Rubber Stamps
Quayside Conservatries
Sawdust
Phoenix Tanning & Beauty
Saxon Therapy
At Beccles Quay shop,
Sawdust in Lowestoft
On selected dates they will also be on sale in Tesco, Beccles, Morrison’s, Beccles and Asda in Lowestoft (listen to radio Broadland or visit their website www.radiobroadland.co.uk for dates)
The Peoples Duck Dash – main race
These top of the range, weighted racing ducks are already in training – it could be anyone’s race. They can be handed in when purchased and will aromatically be entered for the race. If wish you can take your newly adopted duck home and decorate him/her with waterproof paint etc so your duck will stand out from the crowd and be more easily seen from the riverbank. Please note the number on the ducks bottom must not be covered.
The duck will then need to be taken to one of the special collection points or brought down on the day ready to be entered into the big race. All ducks must be at the quay collection point at the latest by 3pm on race day. All race ducks come with an adoption certificate with their individual race number on it and instructions.
Their owners can collect the race ducks in the week after the race. Once collected they can be taken home to be looked after by their new family.
The Big Duck Corporate Battle
For the second year, businesses can join in the fun by entering one of our rather spectacular, attention grabbing, giant ducks. The corporate race ducks are 32 cm long and 27 cm high, many times larger than our usual race ducks.
These duck can be painted in your own business colours or in any way you wish, so that you and your staff (not to mention the race commentator) can recognise him/her. It could be looked on as an additional advertising opportunity. To maximise the chance of winning the first prize, a case of 12 bottles of good quality champagne simply enter more ducks. The price of these giant race ducks, yours to keep after the race, is £25. Proceeds will go to Radio Broadland Kidz.
Those people who have a corporate duck from last year and do not want a new one can enter it again this year for the reduced price of £20
The Quack Pack – Who will have the largest Flock?
This is aimed at small companies and community groups. A number of the usual race ducks are purchased and decorated in team colours or with a logo, so that all ducks match.
This team adoption of ducks brings employees/group members together in a fun way. They can choose a team name and team captain. These ducks cost £2 each and need to be in a flock of at least 10 to be in with a chance to win a case of six bottles of champagne.
Duck Rules
The only ducks that can be entered into the race are those that have been purchased this year in aid of Radio Broadland Kidz and Beccles Christmas Lights. Last years duck should be left at home in the bath.
Ducks must be released by the race organisers. Any thrown into the water by spectators will be disqualified.
To be eligible to win a prize, ducks must rely on the current and wind to propel them to the finish line.
The Quickest Quackers home win:
The Business Battle Corporate Challenge winner will receive a case of 12 bottles of champagne.
The Quack Pack winning team will receive a case of 6 bottles of champagne.
The Peoples Duck Dash – main race 1st place £100, 2nd £50 3rd £25
Duck prices:
Race Ducks – the latest in duck technology and weighted for perfect composure in the water – £2 each.
Giant Corporate Race Ducks – 32cm long X 27cm high – £25 each.
Duck Bill whistles for quacking encouragement – You can join in the duck chorus for just £1.
For Close encounters of the duck Kind come along to Beccles Quay from midday. The corporate race will be at 3pm with the quack pack teams setting off at 3.10pm the main race at approximately 3.15pm
Email: [email protected]
Web: becclesduckrace.org
