Ducktona 5000 returning to South Surrey waterfront Sept. 12
Published 11:35 am Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Thousands of yellow ducks will soon take to the waters off Crescent Beach once again, in a race for the finish line that one could say deserves top billing.
The not-quite-feathered friends are, after all, bolstering support for local marine-rescue efforts.
Ducktona 5000 – one of Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 5’s two key fundraisers – is set to return to the waterfront on Sept. 12, with pre-race activities that get underway at 1:30 p.m. and the main event starting at 3:30 p.m.
Those wanting to get in on the race itself may sponsor a single rubber duck for $5, or pay $20 to have five of them in the water.
Last year, more than 4,060 ducks were sponsored. The hope this year is to boost that number to 5,000.
Sales have been ongoing, and “the ducks are all training hard, but we really need to sell more tickets to get them all swimming,” RCMSAR5 spokesperson Sharon DelMonte said, in an email promoting the race.
All of the yellow competitors are numbered and will be released en masse into a sheltered course, where their progress will be monitored by the watchful eyes of search-and-rescue members on the water.
Everyone is encouraged to turn out to Blackie Spit Park and Crescent Beach Pier on race day to get in on the fun and cheer on the paddlers.
The first 10 ducks across the line will win prizes for their sponsors, with the top finisher earning $1,000 cash.
Ducks may be purchased at rcmsar5.ca/events
Proceeds from Ducktona will help the team cover the costs of equipment, training, vessel maintenance and everyday operations – all of which rely on community support and donations. RCMSAR Station 5 has been active in the local community since 1998, and is 100 per cent volunteer.