The preliminary heats were held on 20 October 1964; 10 pairs entered and were split into two heats of 5 each. The top three placers in each heat advanced to the final, while the remaining four crews were relegated to the semifinal the next day. Those four competed together, with the top three joining the initial six finalists and the last-place pair being eliminated. The final, which included 9 of the original 10 crews, was held on 22 October.
The 10 crews first raced in two heats on 20 October. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the final; the remaining 4 teams were relegated to the semifinal.