Rotary Club of Durbanville Duck Derby 2026
Sat Sep 12, 09:00 - Sat Sep 12, 15:00
Bloemendal Trail Park
ABOUT
Experience the Rotary Club of Durbanville's exciting duck derby! Sponsor a rubber duck and win amazing prizes when it wins the race! All proceeds from the event contribute to the club's community fund, which directly supports community improvement initiatives in and around Durbanville.
Details at a glance
Date: 12 September 2026
Time: First race at 11:30
Location: Bloemendal Trail Park, Durbanville
Parking: Free, secure parking available
How does the derby work?
Hundreds of rubber ducks compete to reach the bottom of our watery race course first, navigating tight twists and obstacles along the way. Our race course is a long water slide that has been constructed by engineers to make the race challenging but fair.
If you join us at Bloemendal on 12 September you will be able to watch the ducks race and enjoy plenty of other entertainment as well.
Sponsoring a duck gives you an opportunity to win, even if you don't attend the event itself! Every duck has an equal chance to win; so let's take a look at the prizes...
Prizes
Our amazing prizes include:
- 2 nights accommodation for 2 people at Vanrhynsdorp Selfsorg Akkomodasie
- Weekend breakfast for 2 at Letsatsi
- Weekend dining at ZAR Restaurant
- Full weekend breakfast and dinner for 2 at Namaqua Lodge
- 2 night accommodation for 2 at the Blue Cow, Barrydale
- Day seating experience for 2 to the Elgin Railway Market with Ceres Railway Company
- Eco conservation tour for 4 at Vergenoeg Löw Wine Estate
- Family experience voucher for 4 with the Waterfront Duck Co.
- Trawal Biltong voucher
- Cast iron teapot and seasonal tea from Carmien Tea
Costs
Entry to watch the derby is free for anyone! Sponsorship for a single duck is R120, or you can sponsor in bulk at R500 for 5 ducks.
Weather
Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather. We are expecting a clear spring day, but here's the plan if things don't go that way:
If it's cold and rainy, we will still be racing!
We encourage you to grab your raincoats and boots to join us for a fun day, regardless of conditions. Warm beverages will be available!
If you can't make it, you will still be eligible to win prizes for the ducks you sponsor.
Remember to bring hats, sunscreen, and water if it does turn out to be a nice sunny day!
The Rotary Club of Durbanville is proudly dedicated to improving the Durbanville community and its surroundings.
"Service Above Self"
ACCESSIBILITY
This event is taking place on the side of a hill at the Bloemendal Trail Park with uneven and inconsistent terrain. Unfortunately this may pose a challenge to people with limited mobility, who might be unable to access the water course. The restaurant is accessible from the carpark via a short loosely graveled path. A wheelchair-accessible toilet will be available.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ducks real?
No, we have been sponsored 1 000 rubber ducks with which to race!
How long will ticket sales be open?
We will keep duck entries open until 30 minutes before the first race. Attendance-only tickets will stay open.
All tickets are subject to availability.
How does the race work?
Every duck is numbered, and will be randomly assigned to sponsors when they buy a ticket. Our race track takes a long, winding path down a hill where spectators can cheer on the ducks as they go. But beware! The course will include obstacles for the ducks navigate; so there's no way to tell who will win until it's over! The ducks will be videoed as they enter the ending pool for our judges to announce winners.
Is the race fair?
Our engineers have worked hard to ensure that every duck stands an equal chance of winning. Ducks swim around the starting pool where angled water jets mix them up before being released down the course to fend for themselves. A barrier around the course prevents interference from any outside parties. No Rotarians involved in the coordination of this event are permitted to sponsor a duck; and the list of duck assignments is available to a select few on a need-to-know basis.
Do I need to attend to win a prize?
No you don't! If a duck you sponsor is awarded a prize, you will be contacted by our prize team to ensure your prize is handed over in due time.
Can I keep my duck?
No, sponsoring a duck only entitles you to the prizes it may win. All rubber ducks will be kept by the Rotary Club of Durbanville for our next duck derby.
SPONSORS
This event has been generously supported by a number of sponsors. Thank you to:
- Bloemendal Trail Park for the venue
- RJ Consani (Pty) Ltd for designing and constructing the water course
- The Crazy Store for providing 1 000 rubber ducks
- Maastricht Wines for providing water and water tanks
- Promac paints for the event branding
- L&A Numberplates and Signs for assistance with signage and branding
- Vanrhynsdorp Selfsorg Akkomodasie, Letsatsi, ZAR Restaurant, Namaqua Lodge, Blue Cow, Ceres Rail Company, Vergenoeg Löw Wine Estate, The Waterfront Duck Co., Trawal Biltong, Carmien; who all contributed to the prize pool
BENEFICIARIES
This duck derby is a fundraiser hosted by the Rotary Club of Durbanville to bolster their community fund; which includes support for 9 under-resourced schools in the Northern suburbs, raising funds for school maintenance and upkeep, learning supplies and materials, and other desperately needed resources. The Rotary Club of Durbanville is a registered Public Benefit Organisation. For more information on what the club does, visit our website, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
DISCLAIMERS
Buy purchasing a ticket I understand that:
- Sponsoring a duck does not necessarily guarantee the sponsor will win a prize
- I confirm that I am 18 years or older, or have my legal guardian's permission, and that I give consent for the Rotary Club of Durbanville to photograph and/or video me, and any members of my party for whom I am the parent or legal guardian, at this event. I understand this may include images of children in my care. If I am purchasing a ticket on behalf of a child for whom I am not the legal guardian, I confirm that I have obtained the legal guardian's permission for that child to be photographed and/or video recorded at this event. I understand that this footage may be used by the club for reasonable promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, the club's website, newsletters, articles, blogs, and future marketing materials without compensation and I release the club from any claim in connection with such use. I understand that this consent remains valid in perpetuity unless I withdraw it in writing. If I or a member of my party would prefer not to be photographed, I understand I can notify event staff on the day so that reasonable steps can be taken to accommodate this.