Canoe Hire Terms and Conditions

1. LEASE

1.1. South Wales Adventure Company agrees to hire the boat/s and equipment to the hirer, and the hirer agrees to hire the boat/s and equipment from the company in accordance with the terms set out in this agreement. 

2. AGE & CONSENT 

2.1. Boats are only to be rented to over 18’s. The consenting adult takes responsibility for the hire and accepts a heightened duty of care for everyone in their group. It is their responsibility to ensure that everyone in the group abides by the following rental agreement. 

2.2. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult supervising from on the water or the bank. 

2.3. Please be aware that regardless of age, if a buoyancy aid does not fit satisfactorily, they will not be allowed to participate. The final decision is ours and may be taken at the last minute when fitting buoyancy aids. 

2.4. Age restrictions 

2.4.1. Canoes – minimum of 4 years old. 

2.4.2. Stand up paddleboards and kayaks – minimum of 7 years old. 

2.5. Dogs are welcome on the canal. However, dog buoyancy aids will not be provided, and their participation is entirely at the hirers risk. 

3. RESTRICTIONS

3.1. The boats are only to be used on the canal. You must not transport or carry the equipment to any other waterway. 

3.2. The river Neath is strictly out of bounds and boats must not be used on this river. 

3.3. You must not sublet or loan the canoe to another person. 

3.4. The boats and the equipment are the property of South Wales Adventure Company and will remain the property of South Wales Adventure Company. 

3.5. You are responsible for the safety and condition of the equipment throughout the hire period and will be responsible for any damage caused. You may also find yourself liable for any accident that may happen. 

3.6. Hire on the day is subject to safe water levels and suitable weather conditions. Hire is also subject to availability. 

3.7. In the event of sudden changes in weather conditions and water levels it may be necessary to terminate the hire early. 

4. SAFETY 

4.1. The hirer will use the boats and equipment for the purposes for which they were designed and not for any other purpose. 

4.2. All participants must wear a buoyancy aid at all times. Once fitted, we suggest that they are not removed in case they are later re-fitted incorrectly. 

4.3. Helmets are available, and we advise that children wear one when taking part in these activities. 

5. PAYMENT & DEPOSIT

5.1. The hire must be paid for in advance, failure to do so may result in your hire being cancelled. 

5.2. A security deposit against the hire of the boats and equipment may be required. A security deposit can include, but is not limited to, credit or debit card, vehicle keys, other personal belongings of value, cash or a combination of the items listed. The security deposit will be required at the commencement of any hire period, but this may extend to a deposit to the value of the boats and equipment hired by credit or debit card payment or other surety as deemed necessary by South Wales Adventure Company. The amount will be dependent on South Wales Adventure Company’s assessment of the risk and the value of the equipment. If a deposit is taken it will be returned at the end of the hire period provided that; - Any boats and/or equipment hired or used are returned in an undamaged condition to South Wales Adventure Company, - Any boats and/or equipment hired or used are returned within the arranged hire period and arranged time and place to South Wales Adventure Company. 

5.3. Any loss or breakage will have to be paid for, unless caused by fair wear and tear. Minor wear and tear are expected, but does not cover burns, rips or tears to the fabric of the canoe, kayak or paddleboard, or the defacing of the equipment or boats. 

5.4. You should protect the hired equipment from theft by securing equipment during the hire period and not leaving it unattended. 

5.5. Lost equipment will be charged at the replacement cost. For the purpose of this agreement the replacement values of the hire items are as follows; Canoe - £1,150.00, Kayak - £650.00, Stand Up Paddleboard - £700.00, Paddles - £60, Buoyancy aid - £70, helmet - £40. 

5.6. Damaged equipment will be charged at the anticipated repair cost or replacement cost if a repair is deemed impractical. 

6. CONDUCT DURING HIRE

6.1. You should be considerate and tolerant to other canal users i.e., fellow boat users, walkers, cyclists, and people fishing. 

6.2. You should be considerate to wildlife and act in a way that will cause minimal erosion, noise, harm, and other negative environmental impacts. 

6.3. The consumption of alcohol or use of drugs is not permitted during the hire period. Hire may be refused if we suspect you are under the effects of alcohol or drugs. 

6.4. No fishing is allowed on the canal without the appropriate licence. 

6.5. You must not smoke in the boats or whilst wearing the buoyancy aids. Burns cause the equipment to be deemed unsafe and the full cost of replacement will be charged. 

7. LATE RETURNS

7.1. Boats returned late will be charged at the rate of £10 per 10 minutes over the allotted time. Please return the boats on time so that the next users can start their session on time. 

7.2. If any indicators suggest that the boats and/or equipment has been transported away from the site, then we will deem the hire agreement broken and we will look to recover the equipment. Any deposit and/or payment will be lost, and the police will be informed. 

7.3. The company reserves the right to refuse hire to any individual at any time. 

DISCLAIMER

The activity is undertaken entirely at your own risk. You should ensure that you understand the risks involved and that you are happy to be responsible for anyone under the age of 18 during the activity. 

South Wales Adventure Company will not be liable for any loss or damage to your personal belongings while on the activity. You take personal property on to the water at your own risk and you should protect it accordingly. 

South Wales Adventure Company will not be liable for any death, personal injury, or loss of, or damage to goods arising out of the hire of any items, unless that death, personal injury or loss, or damage arises directly from an omission on the part of South Wales Adventure Company. 

South Wales Adventure Company shall have no liability to you if we are unable to fulfil a booking due to an event of Force Majeure. In the event of South Wales Adventure Company being unable to fulfil your booking our liability to you shall not exceed the agreed cost of the hire.