Race Day is May 31st.
Is your ducky ready to win? Here's the Insider's Scoop on the Pivotal Ducky Derby.
To watch the race, join us at 4:00 pm on YouTube.
Got a ducky in the Derby? You can find your race number here.
Drama in the Training Pool
Flocks of duckies everywhere are training for the upcoming Pivotal Ducky Derby. Not to ruffle any feathers, but we’ve heard rumors that for some, the training is not going well. Social distance training has been difficult, and several duckies are starting to quack under the pressure. For others, things are moving along swimmingly as they make time for extra leg workouts to build webfoot speed.
However, race operators heard complaints as many duckies cried fowl when news surfaced that Duck Vader hired an elite private coach for a leg up. This revelation resulted in quite a bit of squawking about equity and the need to level the pool. However, another ducky in the race, Sharkbait, acknowledges the dilemma. As he puts it, “The field will get roasted if these amateurs just wing it and train alone.”
Due to the Covid-19 virus, parks, water features, and public pools are closed, forcing many duckies to workout in confined spaces. Since they can’t spread their wings and really paddle, it’s hard to know how many will be race ready. One thing’s for sure: The pecking order will be determined race day and it will be close. Expect the winner to finish by a beak.
DD Featured: A Profile in Courage.
When Puddles was a duckling, he dreamed of being a hall-of-famer. He pictured his legion of fans clamoring for selfies and time to quack it up with him. Not a day went by that Puddles wasn’t in the pool, doing extra laps and following the training regimens of his Olympic heroes. His dreams were shattered one rainy night as his flock flew south for the winter. A lightning strike clipped his wing, leaving him alone, scared and without any clear sight into how he’d ever make it back into racing shape again.
Severely injured, Puddles required multiple surgeries and rigorous rehabilitation. He tears up as he remembers those times: “I had no use of my right wing, needed assistance to fly even the shortest lengths, and had lost all hope.” On one of his darkest days, Puddles got a call from one of his heroes. It turned out his physical therapist had shared his story with University of Oregon mascot, Fighting Duck. We asked Fighting Duck what made him reach out, and he said “I knew Puddles could make it back. He’s a warrior. I’ve seen the greatest athletes struggle and fight their way back to the pool. He just needed someone to get him to dive back in.”
Working with Puddles, Fighting Duck spent countless hours training, motivating, and encouraging him to pursue his dreams. On May 31st, Puddles will be back in the pool for his first race since that tragic night three years ago. And cheering for him from his pool floatie in Eugene Oregon will be his biggest fan.
Race Conditions are Looking Bright!
The unforeseen rainstorm last weekend brought water levels up a quarter of an inch. Late afternoon easterly winds continue to hit Silicon Valley, which have event staff worried about our less experienced racers. As an added precaution for our inexperienced duckies, race operators will double the number of life guards and rescue teams on hand to fish out struggling paddlers.
For now, the swim course start and finish areas remain unchanged and we expect sunny conditions for our May 31st race date. We’re keeping a close eye on weather conditions, and getting regular updates from our duckies' most trusted weather anchor, NBC Bay Area’s Vianey Arana.
Kids Need a Ducky Mask? We've Got You Covered.
With a few easy-to-find materials, this how-to video will show you how to craft the perfect Ducky mask to wear when you watch the live race! Check out this easy DIY video and have fun getting race-ready with the kids!