A native of Orillia, Ontario, Gaudaur trained with world champion oarsman Ned Hanlan and himself went on to win more than 200 races during his career in the water. He won his first race at the age of 17, and by 1886 was recognized as one of the top scullers in North America. Always holding himself up against the reputation of his teacher, Gaudaur challenged the man who stole Hanlan's championship title, William Beach, in 1886. In a thrillingly close race, Beach came out ahead by a mere boat-length. That same year, Gaudaur finished a close third behind Hanlan, but, in 1887, he finally succeeded in beating the former world champion, marking the beginning of his own ascendancy to the crown. Throughout the 1890s, Gauduar was virtually unbeatable. In 1892, he teamed with George Hosmer to win the double sculls championship of the world, and in 1893, he won the Championship of America in single sculls, finishing the three-mile race in a record time of 19:06. Gaudaur bettered this mark the following year with a time of 19:01.5, a record that still stands. After winning the Championship of America a third time, Gaudaur was given permanent possession of its prize, the Richard K. Fox Trophy. Gaudaur reached the pinnacle of his career in 1896 when he won the world singles championship on the Thames River and was declared the best oarsman on earth. Upon his return to Canada, Gaudaur received a hero's welcome, complete with music, gifts, and fireworks. He successfully defended his title in 1898 but was out-rowed in 1901 by Australian oarsman George Towns.