Isle of Wight Festival

AndyP · 08 June 2015, 16:56

Hi, anybody planning to listen to the festival from the water?

A few years ago I remember a number of RIBs and smaller yachts used to raft up and enjoy the show from the Medina River just North of Newport, opposite the festival site.

Is this still allowed/encouraged/free?

Andy

Maximus · 08 June 2015, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyP

Hi, anybody planning to listen to the festival from the water?

A few years ago I remember a number of RIBs and smaller yachts used to raft up and enjoy the show from the Medina River just North of Newport, opposite the festival site.

Is this still allowed/encouraged/free?

Andy

Me and Nos, and the Girls did it a few years back...Great fun!

... A late run back in the dark around the Isle of Wight is a bonus too....if you don't sink tooo much Vino!

Nos4r2 · 08 June 2015, 19:29

Did it last year, was great! The tides can be awkward though.

AndyP · 08 June 2015, 19:32

Thanks guys, I remember the number of unlit boats speeding back afterwards was quite worrying!!

Anybody heard rumours of the festival organisers putting up screens to stop you viewing the main stage "for free"??

Nos4r2 · 08 June 2015, 19:36

Yeah, it's been said every year.Probably bull. You can see most of the screens on the stage, but the trees have grown up a bit so you can't see performers onstage from RIB level anymore.

Wibs · 08 June 2015, 21:26

Have you lot looked at the line up...?

I was tempted but then thought the acts didn't really 'float ma boat'

I'm hopefully going to Alderney over the weekend but if the weather isn't playing its part I may well end up going over to the island to take a look.

m4gu1re · 09 June 2015, 00:52

What sort of size boat is adequate to take across to Chanel islands and how long are you looking at to get across? Thanks.

jonp · 09 June 2015, 01:18

I attended the first back in 1969 as my parents were good friends of the organisers, back then it was on the cliff top between Freshwater bay and Compton. Ive been on the water over here (Aus) while there have been consorts and found the sound to be quite muffled and distorted (maybe because the speakers don't face out to sea). Im sure you would enjoy it if you had a big enough boat to have a group of friends onboard, someone still needs to be the designated driver and in control of the crew

Jon

AndyP · 14 June 2015, 22:02

Took the yacht in the end, more comfort!!! Listening to Fleetwood Mac the way they used to be.
River is quite quiet with a number of ribs closer in to the big video screens.
The police boat has just headed back to Cowes as things look under control!!
Still a great way to see the Festival for free.

jonp · 15 June 2015, 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyP

Took the yacht in the end, more comfort!!! Listening to Fleetwood Mac the way they used to be.
River is quite quiet with a number of ribs closer in to the big video screens.
The police boat has just headed back to Cowes as things look under control!!
Still a great way to see the Festival for free.

It probably cost you much more than an entry ticket!

tim griffin · 15 June 2015, 09:44

We went after we got back from Alderney great end to a great weekend
Tim

Scooby Doo · 23 June 2015, 19:19

I have great memories from doing this.........like when the rolling stones came on and I had 10 people jumping up and down on the deck of the rib. Lucky it was a Huricane 733, probably would have sunk a smaller rib. Or the time one of the girls lost her grip while taking a pee off the back and falling in.
It's a shame they started charging, you get nothing for free anymore.
One year there were so many ribs and yachts etc you could have walked from one bank of the river to the other! Plus a great atmosphere.