The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone participating in activities with Generations Wake Academy (“GWA”) is our highest priority.
Wakeboarding and wake surfing are watersports that involve inherent risks, including falls, collisions, contact with equipment and the water, and other risks associated with being towed behind a boat. All participants, or a parent or legal guardian where the participant is under 18, must acknowledge these risks before participating.
All participants must comply with reasonable safety instructions and directions given by GWA instructors and staff at all times.
1. HEALTH & FITNESS
Participants must be satisfied that they are physically capable of taking part in the activity booked and that the activity is appropriate for their ability and experience.
When making a booking, participants or their parent/guardian must provide a true and accurate declaration of any medical condition, injury, disability or other circumstance that could affect their ability to participate safely.
Any relevant medical information should be brought to the attention of the GWA instructor before the session begins.
GWA reserves the right to refuse or stop participation where we reasonably believe that a participant's health or physical condition could make participation unsafe.
2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
All participants must wear a suitable, correctly fitted buoyancy aid while participating in on-water activities.
Safety equipment supplied by GWA must be used correctly and in accordance with the instructions provided.
Participants must not remove, alter or misuse safety equipment during a session without permission from their instructor.
3. INSTRUCTOR & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Participants must listen to and follow all instructions given by their GWA instructor or other authorised GWA staff.
This includes instructions relating to:
• Entering and exiting the water and boat
• The use of the wakeboard, wakesurf board and tow equipment
• Starting and stopping
• Falling safely
• Positioning in and around the boat
• Other water users
• Emergency procedures
• The safe operation of the session generally
An instructor may modify, pause or terminate a session where they consider it necessary for the safety of the participant, staff or other persons.
Failure to follow reasonable safety instructions may result in the participant being removed from the activity.
4. MEDICAL ATTENTION & EMERGENCIES
Participants agree that, where reasonably necessary, basic first aid may be administered by an appropriately trained member of the GWA team or another suitably qualified person.
In the event of a medical emergency, participants consent to appropriate emergency assistance being sought and, where necessary, to emergency medical professionals providing treatment.
GWA may contact the emergency services where reasonably necessary to protect the health or safety of a participant.
Where a participant is under 18, their parent or legal guardian will be contacted following a significant incident or emergency where reasonably practicable.
5. ALCOHOL, DRUGS & IMPAIRMENT
Participants must not take part while under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs or any substance that could impair their judgement, coordination, awareness or ability to participate safely.
GWA reserves the right to refuse or terminate participation where we reasonably believe that a participant is impaired.
No refund will normally be provided where a session is terminated for this reason.
6. BEHAVIOUR & CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS
All participants and spectators are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully towards GWA staff, instructors, other participants, members of the public and neighbouring properties.
Participants must not behave in a manner that creates unnecessary danger, distress, disruption or inconvenience to other people.
Reasonable consideration must be given to noise levels, particularly around neighbouring properties and other users of the site.
Aggressive, threatening, abusive, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
GWA reserves the right to remove a participant or member of their party from the activity where their behaviour presents a safety risk or causes significant disruption.
7. DAMAGE & EQUIPMENT
Participants must take reasonable care of GWA's boat, boards, safety equipment and other property.
Where a participant deliberately, recklessly or through failure to follow reasonable instructions causes damage to GWA property, GWA reserves the right to seek reimbursement for the reasonable cost of repair or replacement and any directly resulting reasonable costs.
Normal wear and tear will not be treated as customer damage.
8. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Anyone under the age of 18 must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian to participate.
The parent or legal guardian making the booking is responsible for ensuring that the information provided about the participant is accurate and complete.
Parents and guardians must ensure that young participants understand the importance of following all instructions given by GWA staff.
Parents, guardians and adults accompanying young participants remain responsible for the appropriate supervision of minors in their care when they are not actively participating in a coached activity.
9. SAFEGUARDING
GWA is committed to providing a safe, respectful and positive environment for children and young people.
We recognise our responsibility to safeguard young people participating in our activities and to promote their welfare, dignity, rights and wellbeing.
GWA will take appropriate steps to:
• Promote the safety and wellbeing of young participants.
• Maintain appropriate standards of behaviour for staff, instructors, participants and spectators.
• Take concerns about the welfare of a child or young person seriously.
• Respond appropriately to concerns, complaints or allegations relating to safeguarding.
• Follow appropriate safeguarding procedures and relevant sporting guidance where applicable.
For the purposes of safeguarding, anyone under the age of 18 will be treated as a young person/child.
Any concern relating to the welfare or safety of a young person should be reported to a member of the GWA team as soon as possible.
10. PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
GWA may photograph or film participants during coaching sessions or events for legitimate promotional, marketing and social-media purposes.
Where a participant under 18 is identifiable, GWA will seek appropriate consent from their parent or legal guardian before using their image for promotional purposes.
Where photographs or videos of young people are published by GWA, we will avoid including unnecessary identifying information alongside the image.
Parents, guardians and spectators who wish to take photographs or video at GWA activities may be asked to identify themselves and explain the purpose of the photography or filming where reasonably necessary.
Photography or filming must never interfere with the safety or operation of a session.
Any concerns regarding inappropriate, intrusive or unauthorised photography or use of images should be reported to GWA staff immediately.
11. EQUALITY, INCLUSION & RESPECT
GWA is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy wakeboarding and wake surfing in a safe, welcoming and respectful environment.
Participants will be treated fairly and with dignity regardless of:
• Age
• Ability
• Gender
• Race or ethnicity
• Nationality
• Religious belief
• Sexual orientation
• Socio-economic background
GWA does not tolerate discrimination, intimidation, harassment or abuse.
Everyone attending GWA activities has a responsibility to behave appropriately and to respect the rights and dignity of others.
Any discriminatory or abusive behaviour will be taken seriously and may result in the person being removed from the activity.
12. WEATHER & SESSION POSTPONEMENT
Wakeboarding and wake surfing are outdoor activities and sessions may be affected by weather, water conditions, visibility, equipment issues or other circumstances beyond GWA's reasonable control.
GWA reserves the right to postpone, reschedule, modify or cancel a session where we consider conditions unsuitable or where continuing could compromise the safety of participants, staff or equipment.
Where GWA cancels or postpones a session before it begins for safety or operational reasons, the customer will be offered an alternative session or a refund in accordance with GWA's booking and cancellation policy.
13. INSURANCE & LIABILITY
Generations Wake Academy maintains appropriate insurance for its business activities.
Participants should understand that having insurance does not remove the inherent risks associated with participating in wakeboarding or wake surfing.
Nothing in these Health & Safety requirements is intended to exclude or restrict any liability that cannot legally be excluded or restricted, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
Nothing in these requirements affects a customer's statutory rights or GWA's legal responsibilities.
14. PERSONAL PROPERTY
Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and equipment brought to GWA activities.
Customers should avoid bringing valuable or unnecessary items with them.
GWA accepts no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal property except where GWA is legally responsible for such loss or damage.
15. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK
By booking and participating in a GWA session, participants acknowledge that wakeboarding and wake surfing are active watersports and that participation involves inherent risks.
Participants agree to follow the safety instructions provided by GWA and to behave in a manner that does not unnecessarily endanger themselves or others.
For participants under 18, the parent or legal guardian making the booking confirms that they have read and accepted these Health & Safety requirements on the participant's behalf.
16. ACCEPTANCE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS
By making a booking with Generations Wake Academy, the customer confirms that they have read, understood and agree to comply with these Health & Safety requirements.
GWA reserves the right to update these requirements where reasonably necessary to reflect changes to our activities, operating procedures, safety requirements or applicable legislation.
