World Naked Bike Ride 7

Multiple links here: WNBR

Rik Barnett, care of Gabo, Jessica King, et al

Edward 'Ned' Hanlan "The most renowned oarsman of this or any age .."

Handsome Edward Hanlan was the preeminent sculler of the Victorian Age.  He grew up on Toronto Island, born there in 1855.  It is a short hop to the city, but back when he was young he took to rowing back and forth to school.  No doubt it was, in its way, training that paid off well.  He went on to many international sculling championships all through the last quarter of the 19th century.  The secret to his success was not only his efficient stroke, but a new invention in rowing, the sliding seat.  It is common now, but new at the time and it was a variation he came to perfect in his ability to out-perform the competition.

His father built a hotel, aptly named Hanlan's Hotel pictured above, in all its gabled Queen Anne Revival style, at what later became known as Hanlan's Point.  After his career in sculling came to a close he also became a hotelier like his father and an alderman of the city.  His statue now rests at the ferry drop off at Hanlan's Point, a short way away from the clothing optional beach favoured by many men here on summer weekends.  It was cast in 1926 and moved to the point in 2004.  Shirtless, casual, and confident, he greets all who disembark.  The tug, also pictured, rests close to his statue.  It was decommissioned in 1967.

Although his statue is a perfect homo-erotic counter-point to the freedom gay men enjoy in Toronto, Ned was thoroughly heterosexual and went on to marry and have 8 children.  It is quite nice though, to see him standing straight and proud at the point shortly after one sets foot on the island.

Ramón 24

A still from The Midshipman (1925)