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# Meet the Quackers, Venice Canal Surf Ducks Preaching Environmental Awareness
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/phyllis-chavez-send-comments-to-editor-smdp-com-the-quackers/
- Published: 2008-07-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:05:58.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Venice, #archive-import

*The Chronicles begin: Part one*

Editor’s note: Meet the "Quackers," three young surf ducks, born and raised in the canals of Venice, Calif. Their passion in life: Surfing and saving the earth. Their mission: To surf and spread the word about saving the earth, cleaning up pollution and stopping global warming, to anyone who will listen.

My name is Sidney J. Quacker. I’m the studious, good-looking duck with the blue glasses and the blue and white-striped tie. They say I’m a brain. It is probably true. I do love math, computers and most of all reading. I often bring a book along, in a reusable waterproof bag of course, to read while I wait for the next perfect wave.

My brother, Richard Quacker, is the quiet, introspective one in the green string tie. He loves swimming, of course, also hiking, gardening and just observing the wonders of nature. His green thumb supplies us with healthy veggies from his organic garden. I forgot to mention his love for Puccini Operas. He has been heartbroken over the recent passing of Luciano Pavarotti.

Rusty Quacker is the daredevil of our group. He is not exactly the Evel Knievel of the duck world but definitely the classic risk taker. He is the energetic one sporting the blue beanie and that bright red bow tie. In addition to swimming and surfing he also loves snorkeling and sky diving. If you knew him, you would not be surprised that he has surfed Cortes Bank!

The three of us were born and raised along the canals of Venice, Calif. For generations the Quackers have raised their families there. The first Quackers, let’s call them the "pioneer Quackers,” discovered the canals during their yearly migration. On what was to be just a short stop over, they found a wonderful climate, plenty of water, and bountiful sources of fresh food. It seemed to be the perfect place to raise future generations. Their decision to stay and settle was also greatly influenced by the warmth and welcoming attitude of the Venetians. The mild winters and near perfect weather allowed them,for the first time,to really settle down and have a permanent home.You have heard the corny saying about “taking to it like ducks to water?” Well, they did! There would be no need for yearly migrations here. They could stay put, year round, forever.

The pioneer Quackers were also taken with the beauty of their new environment. They loved the graceful bridges over the canals, the ebb and flow of the water and the wild vegetation. They felt they had found the perfect home, a paradise where they could raise their families.

Having lived in the canals for so many years, the Quackers were able to witness many dramatic changes to the area. They were there when the canals became little more than stagnant mud flats and people called the houses "shacks." To many it was the "other side of the tracks" but to us it was still a wonderful place to be and definitely "home sweet home." It was during that time that our Great, great grandfather Charles Quacker and his best buddy, Jeff Yellowduck, began surfing. It’s my guess that being able to settle in one place and have constant access to food, water and shelter allowed them to develop new skills. They were the first ducks ever to surf. Through trial and error they fashioned their own boards from pieces of driftwood they found washed up in the canals. They sanded and smoothed. They adjusted and tested. Then they hit the waves. At first they both fell off their boards more than they stayed on. Good thing ducks love water! They never gave up. They kept trying and practicing. They took wipe out after wipe out before finally mastering it. They became legends. Our grandpa was known as "The Big Duckuna" and his buddy, Jeff was known as "Duckdoggy." They took trips up and down the coast that they called "surfing safaris."

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/070808-09_01.jpg)

(Photo: Photo courtesy Phyllis Chavez)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 8, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070808.pdf?ref=smdp.com)