ESSA Booking Terms & Conditions

Please read these carefully as you will be required to tick to say you agree to them when booking. 

Please ensure you meet the criteria as outlined for your chosen activity or you risk not being able to take part in the activity of your choice.

  • For any of our activities please arrive 15 minutes before your session time
  • Unless stated all equipment is provided, please ensure you bring the personal items listed on the visitor information on the website
  • It is recommended that you don't take any items of value on the water. To avoid risk of loss or damage please leave valuables at home. Please note that all personal items are brought on site at your own risk.

 

When agreeing to the terms and conditions at booking, you will be confirming that you are physically fit to take part in activities and agree to abide by our terms and conditions and code of conduct. You are also confirming that you are able to swim 50m.

You are giving permission for any photographs/film taken when at ESSA may be used in both internal and external media (including the internet) to promote ESSA. Should you not wish for this, we will make every effort not to photograph you, however you must share the responsibility for this and identify yourself to the photographer.

Any feedback about your booking please pass on to bookings@essa.org.uk.

ESSA recommends that you take out an insurance policy for any potential loss due to you having to cancel your booking.

Booking conditions for Individuals

To book a course for adults or for young people you need to book, register and pay via our online booking system. A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total value of the booking must be paid within 14 days of the booking being made in order to secure the booking.

The remainder of the balance is payable 28 days before the date of activity. If you book within 28 days of the activity date then the full cost of the activities booked must be paid when booking. If you cancel your booking within 28 days of the course you are liable for the full cost. If you request to move your booking within 28 days of your event ESSA will make best endeavours to support this. ESSA may make an exception of any cancellation fees in extraordinary circumstances, only if ESSA can fill the date with a new booking. A admin fee will still apply.

BACS, invoice and online payment via credit/debit card are accepted, but we no longer take payment by cheque.

Once registered, you will receive email communication from us with everything you need to know.

No activities will go ahead unless payment has been received.

You must notify ESSA about participants who have any learning difficulties, medical conditions or medications that we should be aware of at least 7 days prior to the event so that ESSA can ensure that any necessary measures are in place to cater for the individuals' needs.

ESSA Water Activities Centre reserves the right to cancel a course should the numbers fail to reach a viable minimum. Decisions will be made 7 days prior to the commencement of the course. A transfer to an acceptable alternative or a full refund will be made.

Any participants that book for an activity that requires a qualification to participate in, will need to show proof of that qualification upon attending the course.

No refunds will be given for unsafe behaviour leading to a group participant being refused access to the activity.

Individuals wishing to participate in casual sailing sessions

Advance bookings are preferable. However, advance booking is not always required for this activity but participants must phone the number on the website to enquire whether there is an appropriate session available. If participants turn up to site without any booking, ESSA might have to refuse entry due to site capacity/safety.

Any participants that book for a casual sailing session will need to show proof of their sailing certification to sail.

Cancellations and Alterations for Individuals

Bookings cancelled 28 days or more before the event will receive a full refund less an administration fee of £50 or 25% of total cost, whichever is the greater. If you cancel your booking within 28 days of the course you are liable for the full cost. If you request to move your booking within 28 days of your event ESSA will make best endeavours to support this. ESSA may make an exception of any cancellation fees in extraordinary circumstances, only if ESSA can fill the date with a new booking. An admin fee will still apply.

All cancellations must be made in writing to bookings@essa.org.uk.  Cancellations must be acknowledged and approved by ESSA to be valid.

If adverse weather conditions prevent ESSA from being able fulfil the planned activity of a booking, ESSA will look to substitute with an appropriate alternative activity.

Booking conditions for Groups

To book for groups you need to register, book, and pay via our online booking system. A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total booking value must be paid within 14 days of your booking being made online to secure your visit date.

Your final participant numbers and the remainder of the balance must be paid 28 days before your visit date. If you book within 28 days of the activity date, then the full cost of the activities booked must be paid when booking.

BACS, invoice and online payment via credit/debit card are accepted but we no longer accept payment by cheque.

Once registered, you will receive email communication from us with everything you need to know.

No activities will go ahead unless payment has been received.

You must provide the names of every individual participating in your event. This can be either via the booking system before you visit or by completing the ESSA Group Participants Form and presenting it when you arrive at ESSA for your event.

You must notify ESSA about participants who have any learning difficulties, medical conditions or medications that we should be aware of at least 7 days prior to the event so that ESSA can ensure that any necessary measures are in place to cater for the individuals' needs.

All Groups please note:

  1. Any group wishing to use their own instructors must provide proof that certificates are valid and current before instructors are permitted to instruct at ESSA. ESSA will request any group’s instructors to complete a site induction before the event date (unless they have recently completed one); Instructors must also take part in an assessment by the appropriate ESSA chief instructor.
  2. All Safety Cover remains the responsibility of ESSA. Groups may assist if requested.
  3. ESSA rules must take priority if there is any conflict of interest, in order to maintain safety both on the shore and on the water.
  4. All Group Leaders remain responsible for the behaviour of their group at all times, and should provide enough adult assistance to ensure this.
  5. Groups are responsible for ensuring that all equipment and clothing is returned to the correct area and in an appropriate condition at the end of each session. ESSA Crew will be available to advise and assist.
  6. All rubbish will be removed by groups/participants at the end of each event. Please arrange to have a responsible adult available at the end of the event in order to complete an inspection with a member of ESSA crew or staff.
  7. No refunds will be given for unsafe behaviour leading to a group participant being refused access to the activity.

Please remember that ALL ESSA Crew are experienced volunteers who are trained to appropriate levels. Please ensure they are treated with equal respect, regardless of age, gender or role, by all members of your group.

Cancellations and Alterations for Groups

Bookings cancelled 28 days or more before the event will receive a full refund less an administration fee of £50 or 25% of total cost, whichever is the greater. If you cancel your booking within 28 days of the event you are liable for the full cost. If you request to move your booking within 28 days of your event ESSA will make best endeavours to support this. ESSA may make an exception of any cancellation fees in extraordinary circumstances, only if ESSA can fill the date with a new booking. An admin fee will still apply.

For group bookings (not courses) ESSA requires a minimum of 15 participants. ESSA will accept less participants, but you will need to pay for 15.

If you alter your booking by reducing the number of participants within 28 days of the course you are liable for the full cost. If you increase the number of participants we may not be in a position to accommodate this increase, but please enquire, and if we are you will be charged the appropriate rate for the extra participants. Do not bring more participants than you have booked for without first enquiring, as any extras may not be able to participate. Any additional participants must have paid before arriving at ESSA.

All cancellations must be made in writing to bookings@essa.org.uk.  Cancellations must be acknowledged and approved by ESSA to be valid.

If adverse weather conditions prevent ESSA from being able fulfil the planned activity of a booking, ESSA will look to substitute with an appropriate alternative activity.

Please remember that ALL ESSA Crew are experienced volunteers who are trained to appropriate levels. Please ensure they are treated with equal respect, regardless of age, gender or role, by all members of your group.

Covid Conditions

ESSA appreciates you may not be able to attend because of Covid-19. If this is the case then please notify ESSA as soon as possible and ESSA will accommodate a move of the date of your activity within the same year. If there should be another lockdown then bookings can be moved or cancelled. The administration charge will still be applied for cancellations.