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Story: Rowing

Dick Arnst

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Dick Arnst

On 15 December 1908 Dick Arnst defeated Billy Webb on the Whanganui River in the world sculling championship. Arnst won by seven lengths in a time of 19 minutes 52 seconds. He had been a successful road cyclist in Canterbury and then went to Sydney to learn how to scull. Arnst won £500 (almost $80,000 in 2013 terms) for his victory.

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How to cite this page

David Green, Rowing – The professional era, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/41260/dick-arnst (accessed 13 June 2026).

Story by David Green, published 8 April 2013, updated 19 September 2016.