The USA, through the USRA as its governing body, has been a founding member of the International Raft Federation (IRF). USA National Championships thus follow IRF rules. https://internationalrafting.com/racing/race-rules/
As of 2026, the IRF is merging with the World Rafting Federation (WRF) to become the Unified Rafting Federation (URF). The USA will now become a member of the URF and the USRA will follow URF rules for USA National Championships going forward.