River filled with crazy craft participants

Skip to Content

Port Hope Tourism Logo Port Hope Tourism Logo Print

Contact Us
  • Things to Do
    View our Hiking, Walking and Biking page
    Hiking, Walking and Biking
    • Arts, Culture and Entertainment
    • Event Calendar
    • Family Fun
    • Farm Experiences
    • Fish Migration
    • Ganaraska Forest Centre
    • Golfing
    • Health and Wellness
    • Hiking, Walking and Biking
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Self-Guided Tours
    • Shopping
    • Treetop Trekking and Ziplining
    • Trip Ideas
    • Waterfront, Beaches and River
  • Events & Festivals
    • Art Sale and Auction
    • Arts Festival
    • Canada Day
    • Candlelight Festival
    • Capitol Christmas
    • Cultivate Festival
    • Delicious Dates
    • Events Calendar
    • Fish Migration
    • Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race
    • Ganny Weekend
    • Heroes Highway Ride
    • Port Hope Fair
    • Port Hope Garden Tour
    • Port Hope House Tour
    • Santa Claus Parade
    • Vintage Film Festival
  • Eat & Drink
    • Breweries
    • Dining
    • Farms and Local Food
    • Picnics
  • Plan Your Stay
    • Accommodations
    • Contact Us
    • Covid-19
    • Getting Around
    • Getting Here
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Self-Guided Tours
    • Trip Ideas
    • Visitors Information Centre
    • Washrooms
Search Button

Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race

Local Adventure Guide

Need a breath of fresh air? Port Hope is a cute, lakeside town with picturesque views, fourth-generation farms and a great perspective on making the moments count. 

View Online Guide 

HomeEvents & FestivalsFloat Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

This wild river ride will get your heart pumping – whether you're paddling on the water or cheering with the crowds along the river banks. Port Hope's Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race in April should be on your bucket list!

Historic river race has kayaks, canoes and DIY crazy crafts

First-time sailors and seasoned boaters take on the fast-flowing Ganaraska River that runs through downtown to Lake Ontario. The one-of-a-kind event, highlighted by costumes and homemade crafts, is a 10km paddle frenzy to mark the town's big flood of 1980.

Pink crazy craft paddles down the Ganaraska River in Port Hope
Crazy Craft Race

Cheer on your favourite crazy craft as they cross the finish line in Fannyville. 

Woman kayaking down the Ganaraska River in Port Hope
Canoe and Kayak Race

The canoes and kayaks are the first to cross the finish line in Port Hope.

Annual event celebrates the rally after the big flood of 1980

Heavy rain caused the river to rise and flood the streets in the downtown core, evacuating merchants and damaging many of the heritage buildings. Hundreds came out to clean up the aftermath. Port Hope is older than Canada and has many stories to tell.

“That's the reason the race started,” says Barry Adamson, race co-chair and former crewman on the Port Britain Pops, a vessel made from 350 recycled pop bottles encased in orange snow fencing. “Port Hope residents decided we're going to enjoy the river. We're not going to let it scare us.” Just watch out for water guns!

Ready to Race? Participant checklist!

• Suit up: Wetsuits are highly recommended
• Safety First: Wear a lifejacket and bring a bailer. 
• Grab your paddle: The water's fast and you gotta be strong!
• Costume Contest: Now's the time to show off your silly side. We dare you!
• Fannyville Finish: Canoes and kayaks go 16km; crazy crafts go 10km to the downtown finish. 
• Sign up: Register your craft and team. 

Events & Festivals
    • Art Sale and Auction
    • Arts Festival
    • Canada Day
    • Candlelight Festival
    • Capitol Christmas
    • Cultivate Festival
    • Delicious Dates
    • Events Calendar
    • Fish Migration
    • Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race
    • Ganny Weekend
    • Heroes Highway Ride
    • Port Hope Fair
    • Port Hope Garden Tour
    • Port Hope House Tour
    • Santa Claus Parade
    • Vintage Film Festival

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

Extraordinary is closer than you think

Historic Port Hope is Ontario's favourite small town.

Port Hope Tourism Footer Logo

  • Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Visitors Information Centre
    • Website Feedback
  • Links

    • Accessibility
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy
    • Sitemap
    • Trip Ideas
  • Resources

    Increase Contrast
  • An initiative by

    Municipality of Port Hope Footer Logo

Ontario's favourite small town

Copyright 2023 Municipality of Port Hope

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.