Daphne the Duck’s Great Escape & Reunion
Picture this: a gigantic, shiny yellow inflatable duck—yes, literally the kind of duck you’d find in a kiddie pool—floating off the moorings in Australia and heading straight into the Indian Ocean on March 11th. “Daphne”, the beloved mascot of the Cockburn Masters Swimming Club in Perth, went missing, sparking a frantic search along the west coast.
How the Search Unfolded
- Reports streamed in from every corner of the coast, even from 440 kilometres (270 miles) away.
- Local swimmers, fishermen, and even a couple of tourist drones took to the water (and the internet) in hopes of spotting the runaway bath toy.
- Despite the tide of sightings, no one was able to pin down the exact location of Daphne.
Fisherman Finds the Duck
Just when everyone thought the duck had vanished forever, a charismatic local fisherman named Tony Gibb spotted the missing duck on the very day it went MIA—only 30 kilometres off shore. He captured it with a trusty net and then towed it back. According to Gibb:
“No one knew about a missing duck at that point; we had no clue where it had come from. But it looked perfect—fully inflated, no damage at all.” – Tony Gibb, ABC
Now, the fisherman plans to ship Daphne back across the waves and promises to hand her over to her love‑affairs (the club).
Club President Makes a Bold Move
President Peter Marr made a daring, albeit futile, dash after the duck’s escape. He famously quipped that the club was in “delicate negotiations” and that “we want Daphne back.” Another attempt to win her back, however, turned into a comical chase scene down the moorings.
Why the Duck Ticks
There’s a long‑standing history of massive inflatable ducks in art and beach culture. Back in 2007, Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman created an 18‑metre tall (59‑foot) inflatable duck that travelled around the globe, from Brazil to Australia, inspiring countless ripples of replicas—including our own Daphne.
The Takeaway
Daphne’s week‑long misadventure reminded us that even inflatable ducks can stir a bit of drama and bring communities together. Whether you’re a swimmer, a fisher, or just a “feel the splash” fan, you can’t help but chuckle at the sheer absurdity and joy of a giant yellow duck roaming free.
