Ride The Tide Surf School Barbados
Participation Agreement, Waiver & Booking Conditions
1. Binding Agreement
By making a booking and/or participating in any activity with Ride The Tide Surf School Barbados (“Ride The Tide”, “we”, “us”, “our”), the booking party and all participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by these Terms & Conditions.
The booking party confirms they have authority to accept these terms on behalf of all participants included within the booking.
2. Condition of Participation
Participation in any lesson, activity, or rental is strictly conditional upon:
Compliance with these Terms & Conditions;
Meeting all minimum safety, ability, and suitability requirements; and
Adherence to all instructions issued by Ride The Tide staff.
Failure to satisfy any condition of participation will result in refusal or termination of participation without refund, credit, or reschedule.
3. Booking Responsibility & Accuracy of Information
The booking party bears sole responsibility for ensuring that all information provided at the time of booking is complete, accurate, and not misleading, including but not limited to:
Swimming ability and water competency;
Physical fitness and medical suitability;
Age and developmental suitability of participants;
Prior experience and ability level.
Any failure to accurately disclose such information does not create any entitlement to a refund, credit, or alternative arrangement.
4. Mandatory Swimming & Water Competency Standard
As a strict condition of participation, all participants must demonstrate a minimum level of water competency, defined as the ability to:
Enter deep water unassisted and fully submerge;
Swim a minimum of 25 metres using a recognised swimming stroke;
Maintain a stationary position by treading water for a minimum of two (2) minutes; and
Exit the water independently without assistance.
Ride The Tide reserves the absolute and unfettered discretion to assess and determine whether a participant meets this standard at any time, including prior to or during a session.
Any participant deemed to fall below this minimum standard, or otherwise unable to safely participate, will be refused participation, and the booking shall be treated as a forfeited session with no refund, credit, or reschedule.
5. Age Requirements & Suitability
All lesson types are subject to age and suitability guidelines.
It is the responsibility of the booking party to ensure that participants are appropriately placed into sessions suitable for their age, size, maturity, and ability.
Where a participant (including any minor) is deemed unsuitable for a booked session, including but not limited to being below recommended age thresholds, Ride The Tide reserves the right to refuse participation.
Such bookings shall be treated as forfeited without refund, credit, or reschedule.
Alternative arrangements may be offered at Ride The Tide’s discretion but are not guaranteed.
6. Instructor Authority & Safety Enforcement
All Ride The Tide instructors and staff retain full, final, and absolute authority in all matters relating to safety, participation, and operational decision-making.
Ride The Tide reserves the right to refuse or terminate participation at any time, without refund, where a participant:
Fails to meet ability or safety requirements;
Fails to follow instructions;
Poses a risk to themselves or others;
Acts in a disruptive, negligent, or unsafe manner.
All such decisions are final and binding.
7. Cancellation, Non-Attendance & Forfeiture
Cancellations made 72 hours or more prior to the scheduled session may be eligible for a refund.
Cancellations made within 72 hours are non-refundable.
Failure to attend a scheduled session (“no-show”) results in full forfeiture of the booking.
For avoidance of doubt:
Non-participation arising from failure to meet participation requirements, including but not limited to swimming ability, age suitability, or safety assessment, shall be classified as a forfeited booking and is not a cancellation, and therefore not eligible for refund, credit, or reschedule under any circumstances.
8. Assumption of Risk
Participants acknowledge and accept that surfing and ocean-based activities involve inherent and unpredictable risks, including but not limited to:
Waves, currents, tides, and changing environmental conditions;
Contact with surfboards, seabed, or other persons;
Marine life and natural hazards.
Participation is undertaken entirely at the participant’s own risk.
9. Liability Waiver & Indemnity
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Ride The Tide Surf School Barbados, its owners, employees, and contractors shall not be liable for:
Any personal injury, illness, or death;
Loss, theft, or damage to personal property;
Any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss.
Participants agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ride The Tide from any claims, demands, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from participation.
10. Payment Disputes & Chargebacks
By completing a booking, the customer agrees that the transaction is authorised and subject to these Terms & Conditions.
The customer agrees not to initiate a chargeback or payment dispute in respect of any service delivered or made available in accordance with these terms.
Where a chargeback or payment dispute is initiated, Ride The Tide reserves the right to submit these Terms & Conditions, booking records, and supporting evidence in full defence of the claim and to recover any associated costs incurred.
11. No Waiver & No Exceptions
No failure or delay by Ride The Tide in enforcing any provision of these Terms shall constitute a waiver of that provision.
All policies relating to participation requirements, cancellations, and forfeiture are applied strictly and without exception.
12. Governing Principle
Safety, suitability, and operational integrity take precedence over all bookings.
Any determination made by Ride The Tide staff in relation to participation eligibility or safety shall be final, binding, and not subject to dispute.
