Background
He was born December 1879 near Akaroa where he lived for most of his life.
He was born December 1879 near Akaroa where he lived for most of his life.
He died on 6 October 1960. He then turned professional. Webb therefore forfeited the New Zealand title to Whelch.
He (Whelch) formalised this position by later winning a race which was for the New Zealand Sculling Championship, held at Akaroa in April 1909.
See also World Sculling Championship (Professional) Whelch challenged Arnst for the World Title who had taken it off Webb. The usual competition rules were agreed to for a stake of £300 a side with the match being scheduled for the 2nd of April 1910.
Unusually it was agreed to run the race on Akaroa Harbour as normally such races were held on rivers. The course was stated to be a little over three miles lougitude
Akaroa was the home town of Whelch.
Bad weather delayed the race for a couple of days which disappointed the large crowd who had gathered. Whelch, despite not winning had not disgraced himself. He had simply been beaten by a better manitoba
A year later, in April 1911, Whelch and Fogwell met again at Akaroa for the ship and a stake of £200 a side.
Holders of national titles were not always citizens of the country concerned. Whelch then retired from active racing but gave service as coach to the Akaroa Rowing Club for many years.
The World Title match was commemorated in 1986 by the Akaroa Rowing Club in the form of a trophy. The club instigated the Arnst/Whelch Memorial Trophy which consists of a miniature single sculls boat and oars made of copper, mounted on a granite base and all enclosed in a glass and rimu case.
lieutenant was competed for annually by single scullers over a three-mile course from The Kaik to the wharf.
A very similar course to that of the 1910 race.