Like many of the professional English scullers, he had won the Doggett's Coat and Badge (in 1888), but at 5 ft 5 ½ in and 9 st 5 lb he was not regarded as one of the heavy men.
He was reported in the mid-1890s that "he pulls a beautiful even stroke, gets well over his sculls, while his leg-work is greatly admired".
In July 1896, Harding challenged the Australian Jim Stanbury for the World Sculling Championship Title.
The race again took place on the Thames but Stanbury defended his title and won the wager of £500 a side.
It is now on display at The River & Rowing Museum, Henley, as part of the extensive Harding collection, currently on loan from his descendants.