Rowing then became the first organized collegiate sport in the U.S., complete with its own governing body. Women's rowing became a National College Athletic Association sport in 1997, but men's collegiate rowing in the U.S. remains independent of the NCAA.
In both men's and women's collegiate and international rowing, competitions are standardized at 2000 meters. At the elite level, 2000 meter race times average between 5:20 and 7:30 depending on boat type. Rowing is divided into two distinct disciplines: sweep rowing, where each oarsman handles one oar, and sculling, where he uses two smaller oars. Sweep oared races are contested in pairs, fours, and eight person boats. Scull races are contested in singles, doubles, and quads. The steering in sweep oared boats is accomplished with the use of a moveable rudder. The rudder is then controlled by the coxswain who sits in either the bow or stern of the boat. .
Due to the fact that the eastern United States has variable season conditions that impact rowing, rowers take part in head races and sprints. Head races consist of rowing in open water for a length of 1500 - 2000 meters during the warm spring months. All of the boats are positioned on floating docks that are lined on a point in the horizon. The head referee skims the water behind the racers in his ski boat and provides assistance when novice boats begin to drift towards each other. At the start of the race, he extends a red flag above his head. He then commands the boats to have, "rowers, sit ready. . . we have alignment, row," and drops the flag which signals the start of the race. Sprints are much more grueling and colder. These 5000 meter races are rowed in the fall and in the beginning of winter. Crews are given 25 meters to gain speed towards the starting line. Only one boat crosses the start at a time, and each is timed separately.
Racing starts halfway through the stroke, with the blade perpendicular to, and in the water.