The 43rd annual Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny river race took place in Port Hope on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Whether you were in kayaks, canoes, floaties or crazy craft, some people had that sinking feeling as they made their way down to the 10 kilometres stretch of the mighty Ganaraska River to the finish line at the Barrett Street bridge.
The annual event commemorates the 1980 flood that devastated downtown Port Hope.
After organizing Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny for 15-years co-chars Barry Adamson and Barrileigh Price are stepping down.
Adamson said just prior to the start of the race that river conditions were perfect for the event with started at 10 a.m. in Canton for the canoes and kayaks, 11 a.m. at Sylvan Glen for the crazy craft and noon for the floaties in Optimist Park.
There were 41 crazy craft carrying approximately 236 people that entered the race with 37 crazy craft making it across the finish line.
There were 70 canoes and kayaks carrying 120 people.
Adamson said over the years there has been all kinds of weather from snow, ice covering the shoreline to sunny skies, but it’s one big community get together.
“It’s the right of Spring in Port Hope and we have neighbours that walk up and down the river that haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
“It brings people together in a positive way in Port Hope. People love the fact that we have Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny having fun outside on our river.”
Today’s Northumberland spoke to a pair of canoeists who had to abandoned their ship as a large hole developed after hitting bottom nearing the finish line.
After spotting the crack that went the length of the canoe, they quickly determined that was the problem.
Starting from Canton the participant said, “it was great except the last 2%.”
“It was fantastic though.”
This was the second time for the woman participating in the event, but she had no doubt that she’d be traveling down the Ganny next year.
With the last time for the organizers for Adamson and his daughter, but it was time.
“It’s very, very hard thing to say I’m not going to do this anymore. But it’s time for younger people to take over.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
