“Lots of people have been surprised by how nice people are in Boston,” she said.

Bill Griceo, a junior at Rutgers University, made the trip to Cambridge with his megaphone in tow and found a spot to shout from the Weeks footbridge.

“Wherever we go, we try to make a big ruckus,” said Griceo, holding a can of beer in each hand. “People generally stare at us.”

University of Wisconsin coach Tessa Molter said she was excited about the crowds along the race course.

“It doesn’t matter to me that people are getting drunk and hoping to see a crash,” she said. “I’m glad that people are excited about rowing.”

Similar sentiments were shared by Ben Ames, an umpire for the race.

“It’s kind of like NASCAR,” he said. “Everyone watches for boats running into bridges.”

But Jeb Basley, a senior at Clemson, said that the actual rowing was worth the trip.

“I’ve been watching and everyone looked strong,” he said.

Hannah Connely, 8, formed her own opinion as she watched the rowers practice from the Anderson bridge on Saturday morning.

“They’re slow,” she said.