Terms & Conditions
Lesson Agreement
Statement of Risk: Outdoor and adventurous activities often involve learning new skills in unfamiliar environments. As such these activities have an element of risk, which includes a danger of personal injury or death. Participants and/or their parents/guardians undertaking these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions. HCPS reserves the right to cancel or modify any activity if it believes there to be an unacceptable risk attached to offering such activity to the public. HCPS decision is at its sole discretion.
Acceptance of guidance and leadership: All participants must follow the guidance and instructions from HCPS to ensure their own safety and the safety of other participants. Any participant deemed to be disruptive or endangering others will be asked to leave the activity and will not be eligible for a refund.
Statement of Physical Ability: You should ensure that you have an adequate level of fitness and a certain level of confidence, in order to take part in the activity that you wish to book. HCPS reserves the right to cancel or modify your activity or booking if your physical ability puts you, other customers, the general public or HCPS staff at adverse risk. If you have any concerns about this please contact HCPS before your course and discuss it with our instructors on the day.
Disclaimer: I/We the Customer/s understand that we are taking part in this activity at our own risk, and I accept that HCPS will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to customers, members, or their guests to HCPS except in the case of death or personal injury caused by the negligence of HCPS or officers, staff, volunteers or servants of HCPS. HCPS shall not be liable to me/us or any other party whether arising in contract, tort, negligence, or breach of statutory duty or otherwise arising out of the use of the club premises and any other facilities of the activity centre. I understand that customers, members HCPS and their guests may use HCPS premises and any other facilities of HCPS entirely at their own risk and accept that HCPS will not accept any liability for any damage to, or loss of, property belonging to customers, members, or their guests unless this has occurred as a result of negligence on the part of the staff of the HCPS or officers or servants or volunteers under the control or supervision of HCPS.
Data Protection: The details provided on this form will be stored for one year, and archived for five years. Your information will not be shared with other organisations. If you supply us with your e-mail address and opt-in your email address will be added to our electronic mailing list. The participants’ contact details will not be sold or passed to further third parties. HCPS occasionally take photos of participants for publicity, including use on our own website [www.hamptoncourtpaddlesports.com] and Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/HamptonCourtPaddleSports/ ]. If you do not wish for the participant(s) to be photographed, please opt-out in your consent form.
Cancellation by The Customer Cancellations must be made in writing and the following refunds will be available: If you cancel up to six weeks before your booking, you will be given a full refund including any deposit. If you cancel between six and two weeks before your booking, you be given a 50% refund and/or lose your deposit. If you cancel less than two weeks before your booking, you will not be eligible for a refund and you will be liable for the full cost of your booking, should you not have previously paid. Where payment is taken over the phone or online you have 14 days to change your mind and receive a full refund unless your activity has already started.
Amendments by The Customer: A request for a booking amendment must be made in writing, up to two weeks before your booking. Amendments may be made to the time, date, activity and participants of a booking. Amendments are subject to availability and at our discretion.
Cancellation HCPS: We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any activity for the following reasons: Adverse environmental conditions such as electrical storms, high winds, algal blooms, frozen waters, equipment breakages, instructor sickness, insufficient uptake or extraordinary circumstances out of our control. Rescheduled courses will be re-allocated up to 6 months from the date of your original course. The customer will be offered the option of a full refund or a gift voucher The gift voucher can be used to re-book onto any course or activity of their choice. Gift vouchers will have a maximum expiration date of 365 days from the date of issue.
Kayak / Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) / Canoe (‘watercraft’) Hire Agreement
This agreement is between Hampton Court Paddle Sports Ltd (HCPS) and the undersigned and is for the hire of watercraft for use on the non-tidal River Thames.
Hire Prices
All prices are shown on the Hampton Court Paddle Sports website here.
I understand and agree to the following:
I assume full responsibility for the watercraft listed on this Hire Agreement and the associated accessories.
If I am hiring watercraft on behalf of others, I understand that I am responsible for the watercraft used by those others to the same extent as the watercraft used by me and will ensure that all those others will be made aware of the terms and conditions of this hire agreement.
If any member of my group is under the age of 18 then I agree that I am signing this agreement and accepting the terms and conditions on their behalf.
Safety statement
I agree that I have read, understood and will comply with the following safety statement;
HCPS shall make available watercraft in good working order and provide basic guidance for its safe use.
HCPS shall make available a buoyancy aid for me and each person included in my group, and will provide basic guidance for its safe use. Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a buoyancy aid at all times.
HCPS advises that all hirers should paddle to the right-hand side of the river and turn to the right to avoid collisions with other, oncoming watercraft.
HCPS advises all hirers to be considerate and courteous to other river users, anglers, lock keepers and members of the public
HCPS advises that all hirers and any users of watercraft, be able to swim at least 25 metres unaided, and should be aware of the RNLI guidance on drowning avoidance
HCPS advises all hirers to familiarise themselves with the latest version of the HCPS risk assessment
HCPS advises all hirers to familiarise themselves with government guidelines on safe use of the River Thames
I agree to obey all local regulations, and all lawful directives from appropriate emergency or law enforcement personnel, while operating or renting the watercraft.
I can operate the watercraft and find it in good working order, condition, and repair.
I shall not be under the influence of drink or drugs and understand if HCPS believe me to be so that I shall not be allowed to use the hired watercraft and will forfeit the cost of the booking.
General
It is my responsibility to check all watercraft for signs of damage prior to the commencement of the hire. I shall bear all risk of damage or loss of the watercraft, or any portion thereof, including but not limited to damage and theft, and shall pay HCPS the cost of repair or replacement. I hereby authorise HCPS to charge the credit card taken during the reservation process for cost of repair or replacement in the event of but not limited to damage, loss, or theft of the watercraft.In the event of repair or replacement, HCPS will share with me proof of the cost of repair or replacement.
I understand that if I do not attend at the agreed hire location at the agreed time this will be regarded as a ‘no show’ and I will not be entitled to a refund.
I understand that if I arrive later than the agreed start time, my hire duration will still end at the agreed end time.
I understand that I am liable for all dirty, damaged, lost, or stolen watercraft and any fees associated with the listed watercraft, and that all watercraft must be returned in good condition as determined by HCPS
I understand that I am responsible for returning the listed watercraft at the agreed upon time on the due date of the hire period as shown on the Hire Agreement. If I return the watercraft later than the agreed upon time I understand that HCPS will charge me for period I am late with a minimum charge of 1 hour. For the avoidance of doubt the table below lays out the charges for late return of watercraft;
| How late? | Additional fee (£) per watercraft |
| Within an hour of the agreed time | The one-hour hire cost shown at the top of this agreement |
| More than an hour late but less than 2 hours late | The two-hour hire cost shown at the top of this agreement |
| More than 2 hours late but less than 4 hours late | The four-hour hire cost shown at the top of this agreement |
| More than 4 hours late | The full day hire cost shown at the top of this agreement |
Location
Unless otherwise agreed with HCPS the location of paddling the watercraft is limited to the non-tidal River Thames, ending downstream at Teddington Lock, and the watercraft must not be transported to other locations outside of these limits, nor transported on any vehicle.
If HCPS agree to the watercraft being transported by vehicle then I agree that it is my responsibility to ensure proper transportation of the watercraft on my vehicle and that watercraft must be transported using proper restraint devices.
I acknowledge that improper loading and attachment of the watercraft may result in damage to my vehicle, other vehicles, and the watercraft.
I release HCPS from all liability for any assistance provided in loading or securing watercraft.
I release HCPS from all liability for any damage that may occur to my vehicle whilst loading, unloading, or transporting the Watercraft.
Cancellation
I understand that there may be times when HCPS need to postpone the booking, for example when weather or river conditions are deemed to be unsuitable or dangerous. If HCPS postpones my booking I will receive notification at the earliest opportunity and an offer of an alternative date, at a time and date that is mutually agreeable.
I understand that if I cancel with less than 72 hours notice to HCPS then I will not be entitled to a refund.
RECOGNITION OF RISK: I acknowledge that kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and canoeing are activities with inherent risks of injury to persons and property. I am aware of those risks and understand them.
HCPS advises all hirers to wear a Buoyancy Aid at all times while on the water, and the wearing of a buoyancy aid is required for anyone under the age of 18.
I understand the dangers of paddling on moving water and understand that weather can play a factor in paddling safety and that such activities are subject to the unpredictable forces of nature.
Insurance
HCPS is insured for public liability up to £5m, professional indemnity up to £5m and personal accident up to £25k. I understand HCPS advises that I, and all others in my group, should have adequate insurance to cover foreseeable risks including injury, loss or damage to watercraft, damage to third party watercraft* or persons, and additional costs for late return of watercraft.
*third party watercraft and persons refers to boats, kayaks, canoes, hydrofoils and other watercraft owned and used by persons other than HCPS.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I hereby release HCPS, its agents, contractors, employees, and owners from liability for negligence and hold them harmless from any loss, expense, or cost, including solicitors fees, arising out of damages or injuries, whether to persons or property, including those not listed on this agreement, occurring as a result of the rental or use of said kayak, paddle board or canoe and related watercraft.
This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between me and HCPS and no term may be waived or modified, including any provision against oral modification, except in writing signed by both parties.
There are no warranties, expressed or implied, by HCPS to me, except as contained herein, and
HCPS shall not be liable for any loss or injury to me nor to anyone else, of any kind or however caused.
I have read this agreement and understand it, and I sign it of my own free will. I am aware that this includes a release of liability and is binding on me, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, or any person claiming by
or through me.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Full Name:
Mobile Number:
Address:
Post Code:
Watercraft Type:
Date Out: Time Out:
Date In: Time In:
Hire Fee: £ Number of Passengers:
HCPS may use photographs of my participation on its social media Yes / No
Signature:
Print Name: