Come watch Boston take a quack at the city’s first Duck Boat Pull

Events Come watch Boston take a quack at the city’s first annual Duck Boat Pull The competition helps support the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s free youth sport and fitness programs. Boston is hosting the first annual Duck Boat Pull April 12 at the Boston Common. Christiana Botic/The Boston Globe
Next weekend, teams of 10 will compete to see who can pull a 21,000-pound duck boat across the Boston Common the fastest. If they want to win, they’d better not wing it.
Boston is hosting the first annual Duck Boat Pull April 12 at the Boston Common to benefit free youth sports and fitness programs, according to the Parks and Recreation Department.
In partnership with Boston Duck Tours, the fundraiser challenges teams of 10 participants ages 16 and up to pull a duck boat across a designated course on the Boston Common.
“This first-of-its-kind event is a great opportunity for community to come together and participate in a competition that’s so uniquely Boston,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in an announcement. “We’re grateful to our amazing Parks and Recreation team and partners for constantly innovating in creating family-friendly, engaging activities for our residents.”
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To help support Boston’s free youth sports programs, each team is required to make a $1,000 donation to compete. The programs include leagues, tournaments, and fitness initiatives that helped more than 20,000 young people in Boston stay active in 2024, the city wrote in the announcement.
A handout illustration shows the Duck Boat Pull event. – Boston Parks and Recreation
“Not only will participants have a blast competing in this unforgettable experience, but every pull directly supports vital youth sports programs that keep our kids healthy, active, and engaged in their communities,” said Liza Meyer, interim Boston Parks and Recreation commissioner.
Alexis Beckett, a WCVB Channel 5 sports reporter and producer, will emcee the Duck Boat Pull, according to the announcement.
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Registration for the event has already closed, but residents can still get involved by cheering on the teams. The Duck Boat Pull is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and go until 3 p.m., the announcement said.