Soon after culling from the water the first three toy ducks to reach the finish line, YMCA staffers Nae Theberge, left, and Sarah Mulder, take an opportunity to linger in the pool before contacting the winning sponsors of the ""For The Love of the Y Duck Race" hosted at the Merrimack YMCA on July 25, a day designated as National Drowning Prevention Day. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

The flock of floating ducks under power from a large floor fan make their way to the far end of one of the six lanes at the Merrimack YMCA to name the winners of the duck race, a fundraiser for various swimming safety programs. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Completing the list of sponsors for the recent "For The Love of the Y Duck Race" hosted on July 25 to encourage safe swimming practices on World Drowning Prevention Day, July 25, are event organizers, from left, Nae Theberge, aquatics director, Robin Ducharme, vice president of program innovation and quality, Tyler Grzesik, swim instructor, and Sarah Mulder, aquatics director. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Merrimack residents Finley Bolen, age 4, and Liam Bolen, a 7-year old, demonstrate a flair for art by volunteering to decorate some of the 64 toy ducks that were the stars of the recent duck race at the Merrimack YMCA. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Merrimack YMCA staffer Robin Ducharme tosses a tray of 64 toy ducks into the pool at the Merrimack YMCA to launch the first-ever duck race, an event designed to promote water safety on National Drowning Prevention Day, July 25. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON