More than 1,000 rubber ducks will be launched on Regent's Canal in Paddington this month, for the annual charity rubber duck race.
Now in its 16th year, the race raises money for local charity Cosmic (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care), by allowing the public to sponsor a duck. Each anatine toy has a number daubed on it before the race begins. They're (rather unceremoniously) dumped into Paddington Basin from buckets on the St Mary's footbridge above, and the first duck to bob 100 metres to the finish line is declared the winner — earning its human sponsor a pair of Eurostar tickets. Second prize is a pair of one day entry passes to a Disney Park of your choosing (and presumably the chance to meet Donald Duck).
It's £3 to sponsor a duck, and you can sponsor one — or as many as you like — over on the JustGiving page ahead of the race. Or head down to Merchant Square any Tuesday or Thursday before the race and look out for the Cosmic team.
Quackers as it sounds, the lunchtime rubber duck shenanigans are a mere amuse bouche to the day's main event — the dragon boat race. 21 teams, each consisting of 16 rowers and a drummer, are signed up for this year's water-based dash, which has the crews going head-to-head in traditional Chinese dragon boats over a 100m course, ending in Paddington Basin.
While there's a prize for the fastest team, equally coveted is the 'Best Dressed' prize, given to the crew with the most imaginative fancy dress costumes. Pirates, drag queens and Minions have taken part in previous events.
The Rubber Duck Race takes place at 12pm, and the Dragon Boat Race at 5pm, both on Thursday 27 July 2023. Both are free to watch, no need to book.
