Attendance levels at the 40th annual Head of the Charles Regatta over the weekend dropped from past years, but organizers still declared the event a “smashing success.” Crew enthusiasts flocked to Weeks Footbridge for the best views.

The World Series wasn’t the only sporting event to draw crowds to Boston this weekend.

More than 200,000 rowing enthusiasts, spectators and competitors flocked to the banks of the Charles River for the 40th annual Head of the Charles Regatta on Saturday and Sunday.

Though attendance this year was high, the numbers did not come close to the 300,000 mark, as they have in the past.

Executive Director of the Regatta Frederick V. Schoch attributed the lower turnout to the cold October weather, but said the regatta was still “a smashing success.”

The weather didn’t just deter visitors. The 40-degree temperatures, paired with blustery winds, forced coordinators to plan the races on a shorter “emergency” course for the 24 events on the river this weekend.

Despite the grim conditions, nearly 1,500 boats and 7,000 rowers zipped down the 2.3-mile stretch of the Charles through Boston and Cambridge to the cheers of fans.

The race is normally three miles long.

Harvard’s best showing at the races was a second-place finish at the men’s championship fours.

For Harvard, the regatta meant more tourists, tighter security and a restriction on House parties. But students didn’t seem upset with the additional precautions.

“I appreciate it,” said Kerian E. Robertson ’08. “It hasn’t changed my plans at all.”

For the first time in its 40-year history, this year’s Head of the Charles had its own soundtrack, “Row-a-Palooza”—an ongoing concert showcase of Boston Bands.

Members of the 2004 United States Olympic rowing crews also made an appearance at the race Saturday, taking a victory lap down the river.

“What’s so exciting about this event is seeing this many people dedicated to this wonderful sport,” said Jonathan F. Warburg ’63, who served as a race umpire.

With dozens of food vendors lining the banks of the Charles, and smells of fried dough, clam chowder and kettle corn wafting downriver, some students leapt at the chance to escape the dining hall and eat out.

“We were gung-ho about the race, but now that we’re here, we’ve moved over to the food,” said Estelle M. Reyes, a student at the Graduate School of Education.