No tickets to Newport Folk Fest? What you need to know to take it all in from the water
NEWPORT – Couldn't get a ticket to the Newport Folk Fest? Didn't want to shell out hundreds of dollars to bake in the sun at Fort Adams, or simply love being out on the water just as much as you love listening to live music?
Hitting the water is a great alternative to take in the concerts, but you'll want to do so safely.
Here are some tips to enjoy the festival and make the most of a day in Newport Harbor.
Safety advice from Newport Harbor Master’s office
Newport has also compiled an 11-page paddle safety guide which divides Newport Harbor into eight geographical zones and offers safety and navigation advice for each zone. Here are a few key tips:
Paddling with a buddy is always recommended and preferred over going out solo
All paddlers must be wearing a lifejacket, must have a sound signal aboard (a whistle works), and must have a white light aboard
Paddling at dusk and after dark is strongly discouraged, but the light must be used if paddling after dark
King Park is probably the best and closest place to put in a kayak to get to Fort Adams, and staying close to the shoreline rather than cutting across the channel is the safest way to get there
In an emergency: Radio channel 16 for the harbor master and Coast Guard, 911 for the police, and three whistle blasts plus a paddle waved overhead for an on-the-water distress signal
What to bring with you for a day on Newport Harbor
Regulars will start with advice that seems obvious but nonetheless important: don’t drink too much!
For those taking paddleboards or kayaks here are a few key items if they intend to raft up with others:
A dry bag – over the years, keys, phones, wallets and more have been lost in the murky deep
A suitably long and strong line of rope for tying off to other boats
Sun hat and sunscreen
A deli sandwich, placed on top of the cooler rather than underneath all the beers where it will definitely get soggy. (Charles 5 & 10 on Broadway, Marco’s on Spring Street and Ash Mart on Carroll Avenue, in order from north to south with Ash Mart the closest to King Park and Fort Adams, are all solid options to quickly grab a sandwich to go in Newport.)
More water than you think, and remember to hydrate throughout the day
Where to launch a kayak or paddleboard in Newport
For larger craft heading out directly from Fort Adams is a good option.
The public launch at King Park on Wellington Avenue is the best place for paddlers wishing to access the coastline of Fort Adams. There is limited but free public parking on the north side of Wellington Avenue along the park.
There are also public ramps on Washington Street and Elm Street in downtown Newport, but it is a much farther paddle from there to Fort Adams, and finding parking is at times akin to hitting the lottery.
Where to rent a kayak or paddleboard in Newport
Island Adventures, 4 Spring Wharf, Newport. They will help with launching at the Spring Wharf public access. An eight-hour rental costs just over $100.
Mobile Kayaks – delivery to multiple launch points in Newport including Fort Adams, King Park and Elm Street.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: How to watch the Newport Folk Festival from the water in boats
