2023 Newport Folk Festival. Photo Credit: Ryan Belmore

With Newport’s Folk and Jazz Festivals just around the corner, City of Newport officials are offering safety tips and reminders for those planning to spend time on the water.

Newport city officials are advising those planning to spend time on the water during the upcoming Folk and Jazz Festivals to wear a life jacket, headlamp, and bright clothing. Kayakers and paddleboarders are also reminded to stay out of boat channels and fairways, carry a sound signal and way to call for help, and watch the weather.

Other important safety tips include watching the weather and avoiding paddling in wind or when storms are coming. The city also recommends looking out for each other and keeping an eye out for newcomers.

For more information on paddle safety in Newport’s waters, visit the city’s website by clicking here.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...

Leave a comment

We welcome relevant and respectful comments. Off-topic comments may be removed.