Types of Collegiate Races
Head Races: Head races usually take place in the fall on rivers - hence the Head of the Charles, the Head of the Iowa, etc. Rowers start the course one after the other, about 15 seconds apart, navigate three miles of river - around bends and under bridges. Whomever completes the course in the shortest amount of time wins.
Sprint Races: These competitions are 2000 meters or approximately 1 1/4 miles. Most courses are divided into six buoyed lanes, allowing six boats to participate at any one time.
International Competition: The World Rowing Championships are held each non-Olympic year. The Junior World Championshimps are conducted each year, at a different site.
Indoor Races: Typically held in the winter, these races are contested on rowing machines at an indoor location. The rowing machines are computer linked and results are shown on large screens.