Types of Races

• Sprint Races – The standard sprint race distance is 2000 meters and usually has six shells racing against each other in their separate designated lanes that buoys may or may not mark. These races can take anywhere from 5 ½ to 8 ½ minutes depending on boat class, weather conditions, water current and the physical condition and experience of the rowers. Other racing distances are 1500 meters for junior age division (high school).
  
• Head Races – These races occur later in the rowing season, starting in late September. They are about 2.5 – 3 miles long and the boats start in their respective divisions separately at 10-second intervals. These races take place on a river with an assortment of bridges and turns that can make passing quite interesting. The winner of each division is referred to as the ‘head’ of that river.