Terms and Conditions

1: Fees

Places can only be reserved by submitting a completed booking form and non-refundable 25% deposit. All balances must be paid 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the course – failure to do so may result in loss of deposit and reservation. If booking is made within 6 weeks prior to the commencement the whole fee must be paid upon booking. Places may be provisionally booked but will only be held for 5 days.

All bookings will be confirmed in writing or email if booking submitted electronically. Confirmation paperwork will include a copy of the course/trip details, equipment list, and an invoice for payment of the final balance if outstanding. The balance is due 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the course/trip and reminders will not be issued.

Single bookings for accommodation based trips: Wherever possible single bookings will be provided with a single room/tent at no extra charge where the single booking does not result in extra cost to Sea Kayaking South West, however this is not always possible. In particular many of our lodge based trips have twin rooms. Single travelers will be notified if they are required to share (you will be placed with someone of the same sex) and if a single room supplement is available.

2: Amendments by the customer

Substitution of the original customer for another may be made provided the substituting customer satisfies the requirements of the course/trip and a new booking form is signed and submitted.

A customer may change a course/trip or dates if agreed by Sea Kayaking South West up to 6 weeks prior to commencement subject to an administrative charge if this leads to non recoverable expenses for Sea Kayaking South West (such as ferry booking fees paid in advance).

Any request to change course or dates within the 6 week period will be dealt with under the terms and conditions relating to cancellation by the customer.

3: Cancellation by the Customer

All cancellations must be in writing and acknowledged by Sea Kayaking South West.

The financial cost of cancellation is as follows:

• Deposits are non-refundable.
• 75% of the total course/trip fees where cancellation takes place less than 6 weeks but more than 2 weeks before the commencement of the course/trip.
• 100% of the total fee where cancellation takes place within 2 weeks of the commencement date.
• 100% of the total fee where cancellation takes place on or after the commencement of the course.
• If there is a waiting list and the place can be filled, then a refund of 75% of the total course/trip fee will be paid.

4: Amendments and Cancellation by the Sea Kayaking South West

Whilst every attempt is made to ensure that the course/trip actually runs, Sea Kayaking South West will notify the customer of the cancellation as soon as practicable where it believes on reasonable grounds that cancellation is necessary due to dangerous and/or unsuitable conditions for the course/trip.

Customers accept they should have fitness and competence commensurate with their chosen course or trip. If in the opinion of Sea Kayaking South West staff your fitness or competence level may compromise the safety of the trip we reserve the right to cancel or terminate your course/trip. If in doubt please discuss your health and competency prior to booking. If you are affected by a medical condition which may affect you or other people’s safety or enjoyment of the course/trip, you must advise this at the time of booking.

Sea Kayaking South West shall notify the customer of the cancellation not less than 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the course/trip where numbers as a result of either customer(s) cancellation or booked numbers have failed to reach a workable minimum.

Sea kayaking is weather dependant. In the event that the weather is unsuitable, Sea Kayaking South West will provide suitable safe alternatives such as use of sheltered waters in harbor, estuary, lake, river or swimming pool. In particular, customers accept that the itinery stated in the trip details is indicative only and not a guarantee that a particular route will be followed or place reached.

In event of force majeure (unusual and unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which are unavoidable eg strike, riot, natural disaster, act of war or terrorism) if Sea Kayaking South West is forced to cancel or curtail a course or trip we will endeavor to provide a suitable alternative, but we cannot pay compensation or accept liability for the return of fees or expenses.

In the event of cancellation by Sea Kayaking South West for administrative reasons customers will be offered the choice of the following options: Full refund of all fees and deposit / another booking on a different date or course/trip / Sea Kayaking South West Gift Vouchers to the value of 110% of the course/trip value.

If you leave the course/trip or undertake independent activity during the trip Sea Kayaking South West are not responsible for your actions or safety.

5: Insurance

It is a condition of booking for all expeditions that you are covered by adequate insurance for the duration of the itinery and for the activities undertaken. The insurance must include cover for medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, injury and death. In the event of emergency medical expenses the responsibility of such costs will be borne by the customer.

Sea Kayaking South West also advises insurance for cancellation and curtailment and loss / damage of personal belongings and equipment for all courses and trips.

6: General

Any information provided by Sea Kayaking South West on such matters as climate, clothing, equipment etc is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of Sea Kayaking South West.

Sea Kayaking South West reserves the right to place age restrictions on certain courses and trips.

7: Complaints and feedback

If you have a complaint about the course/trip you should make it known to the leader at the earliest opportunity. If you feel the complaint has not been properly dealt with Sea Kayaking South West shall endeavor to agree a settlement with you. Any outstanding complaint not resolved during the course/trip should be notified to us in writing within 30 days of the scheduled end of the course/trip.

Sea Kayaking South West strives to enable its customers to get as much enjoyment from sea kayaking as we get from it ourselves. We welcome feedback, and seek your comments and suggestions verbally, in writing, or electronically – via the website, blog, Facebook or Twitter. We are always interested to see any photographs you may take and will make any photographs we take freely available to you via Flickr.