How to: Hook up at a festival

t's a known fact that festivals create near-perfect conditions for a hookup. (Says who? Says everyone who's ever left a festival with a new number... Or a new camping buddy.)

The formula is pretty simple: Sunshine, great music, questionable dance moves, tiny outfits, drinks flowing, and thousands of people all there to have a good time. Whether you're chasing a cheeky sunset kiss, a mosh pit pash, or an invitation back to someone else's tent, festival season is full of opportunities to meet someone new.

So what's getting in the way of your festival romance?

Geography is the biggest buzzkill

Festivals are huge. There are multiple stages, hundreds of tents, and enough people to make "meet me centre-right of the mosh" completely meaningless. If you've met someone you want to see again, don't rely on memory or vague directions. Swap socials while you're together, drop a pin, or check Snap Map if you're both using Snapchat.

Better yet, fire up HUD App and line up a connection before (or during) the festival. HUD makes it easy to see who's nearby and looking for the same thing, without spending your weekend endlessly swiping. That means less time searching and more time enjoying the festival.

Stay hydrated (your future self will thank you)

Hydration isn't just about avoiding the world's worst hangover. Drinking water throughout the day helps keep your energy up, keeps you feeling your best, and can even help avoid alcohol-related performance issues if your festival crush turns into something more. Plus, remembering your hookup is generally better than trying to piece it together from your camera roll the next morning.

Read the vibe

Not every conversation has to end in a kiss, and that's okay. Flirting should be fun for everyone involved. If they're matching your energy, amazing. If they're not, respect the signal and move on. Festivals are full of interesting people, and the best connections happen when everyone feels comfortable saying yes or no.

Have a plan

If you're heading back to someone's campsite or leaving the crowd together, let a friend know where you're going. Keep your phone charged if you can, know how you'll get back to your own campsite, and don't forget protection if you think sex might be on the cards.

A little planning goes a long way towards making sure the only thing you regret the next morning is paying $18 for chips.

Happy festie season, and happy hooking up!