It was a bit quackers — but a lot of fun.
More than 1500 rubber ducks made their way down Wānaka’s Bullock Creek for the annual Wānaka Rotary Club Duck Race on Saturday.
But the path to victory was far from a casual meander in a lazy river.
The ducks dodged obstacles, tackled tunnels and overcame a whirlpool to find their way to the edge of Lake Wānaka where they were scooped up by waiting volunteers.
For sisters Immi, 9, and Estee, 7, Hudson, of Wānaka, it was the second consecutive year their family’s duck had placed third.
While technically this year’s successful duck was their father’s, the sisters said they were the real winners as the prize would go to them.
The girls said watching the ducks was "fun".
When asked if they had any tips for future competitors wanting to take part next year, Estee said "make sure it doesn’t get stuck".
Rotary Club director of fundraising Geoff McLeay said the event — which has been running for 13 years — was the best one to date.
"It’s absolutely awesome.
"We’ve had a wonderful day, a great crowd. I wish I could have counted them, but [there were] several hundred.
"An exciting day for the children of Wānaka chasing the small ducks down the creek."
The duck race raised about $10,000 which would go back in to the Wānaka community, he said.
