New Zealand Sculling Championship

The New Zealand Sculling Championship was the professional Single Sculls Championship of New Zealand held between 1881 and the 1930s. The Championship declined following the First World War and with the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s.

On 1 February 1881 Albert White of Mercury Bay offered to scull any person in New Zealand for the professional Championship of the country and for either £100 or £200. Apparently, this was the first time anybody had wanted to race for the title, even though the NZ Amateur Championship did not commence until 1888. PH Duncan of Christchurch was having some thoughts of taking him up. Additionally William Hearn of Wellington, New Zealand also wanted a chance but could not raise the £100 and so offered £50. He suggested that the three of them put up £50 each and have the races in Wellington as it was the most central, with the winner taking the lot.

Towards the end of the month it was reported that White and Duncan were to row at Taurauga for a £100 a side. White would allow £25 in expenses from the stake in the event of Duncan losing. The race was run early May 1881 with White the winner.

On 9 July 1881 the match between Hearn and White took place on Port Nicholson Harbour, Wellington. Hearn easily won the match and crossed the line eight lengths ahead. The time was 27m.29s and the course was stated to be about three and a half miles long.

On 26 March 1882 another race was held at Wellington for the Championship with Hearn rowing Charles A. Messenger from Victoria for a £100 a side. National titles were not necessarily held by citizens of the country concerned. Hearn was in the lead the whole time and won by about twenty lengths in a time of 24m.29s which was a New Zealand record.

On 1 January 1885 Hearn and Harrington raced for the Championship; this time at Riverton. A considerable amount of betting took place with the Champion being more favoured. The course was straight and again over the distance of three and a half miles. The stake was also again for a £100 a side. Harrington rowed close to the shore and struck an underwater snag, which punctured his boat and caused him to retire. Hearn continued in leisurely manner and won in a time of thirty minutes.

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