With the strangest squeak and the loudest splash, 5000 bright yellow plastic ducks plummeted from on high to begin a strange, bobbing race yesterday.
The ducks were dropped from a crane into Dunedin's Water of Leith for the sixth annual Rotary Charity Duck Race.
Plenty found themselves stuck in the watery byways of the Leith, but were quickly scooped back into the main flow by helpers.
The event was a fundraiser run by Dunedin East Rotary for Cure Kids, Red Cross and Rotary community projects.
The ducks bobbed uncertainly from Clyde St, under the Forth St bridge to Riego St St.
Organiser John Nelson said his best guess yesterday as to funds raised was between $10,000 and $12,000.
Tickets were sold in raffles, and highly decorated ``corporate ducks'' from companies had been sold for $200.
Schools had also entered decorated ducks.
The funds raised were down on previous years because of a change in timing of the event from February to October, which fitted better with schools and meant a better flow in the Leith, Mr Nelson said.
Asked what qualities were required to win the race, he said: ``The key to winning is luck''.
``That's what makes it so interesting.''
The first duck home won a 40-inch television for its owner, while Brockville School and Crowe Horwath won for their decorated ducks.
Mr Nelson said the ducks were recaptured and would be used again for next year's race.
