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No quackers in Mallorcan duck throwing fiesta
During Can Picafort's summer 'Fiesta of the Sea', one of the more unusual events is the 'duck throwing' tradition. In years gone by, live ducks used to be thrown from boats into the sea, to be collected by swimmers who would exchange them for prizes. However, in 2005, the use of live ducks was banned on cruelty to animals grounds. These days, yellow plastic ducks are now released in the water.
Yesterday saw this event attract thousands of people to the beach in front of Hotel Mar y Paz. 1500 plastic ducks, each individually numbered, were thrown from boats into the sea to be collected by enthusiastic swimmers - the numbers on the ducks that each swimmer obtained could then be used in a prize draw later that evening.
Since 2005, those opposed to the ban have infiltrated the crowds and released live ducks into the proceedings in defiance of the ban, much to the amusement of the crowd, and to some extent, the authorities. The local council has been trying to overturn the ban and re-introduce live ducks to the proceedings, arguing that it is a traditional Mallorcan event that should be protected.
But this year, no live ducks were to be seen. In fact, the only casualty of the event appears to have been the rubber ducks - due to lack of funds only €1600 was available to spend on the event, as opposed to a whopping €7000 that was used last year.
