NWWC Terms and Conditions of Service General conditions of service applicable to all sessions • White water Rafting/Orcas/Canyoning are ‘assumed risk’ water environment contact sports which may carry attendant risks. • Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. • All Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions are staffed by appropriately qualified guides. Guide to client ratios are in accordance with the guidelines. The NWWC has a pro-active approach to staff training. Occasionally, trainee guides may be involved in sessions, however they will be under the supervision of a nationally qualified guide at all times. • All Rafting/Orca/Canyoning participants will receive a comprehensive safety briefing from their guide and will be given the opportunity to raise any issues before the session commences. • Whilst every reasonable attempt will be made to deliver Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions, the NWWC reserves the right to cancel or modify the session due to safety considerations and factors beyond our control. • As part of the continual review of safety and associated considerations, the conditions of booking are subject to change, clarification and modification at any time. Only the Centre Head of Operations or his Appointed Deputy is empowered to vary or waive any of the conditions of booking. Such decisions are totally at the discretion of the Centre Head of Operations or the Appointed Deputy. • All persons participating will have Canoe Wales (CW) day membership, except for current Paddlesport Governing Body members. Liability and insurance • White water Rafting/Orcas/Canyoning are potentially dangerous activities. All participants must be aware of this and accept the risks associated with the activities. Whilst the NWWC has an excellent safety record, responsibility for death, injury or illness arising from Rafting/Orca/Canyoning and associated activities can only be accepted if caused by negligence on the part of the NWWC its servants or agents. • The NWWC is under no liability whatsoever in respect of loss or damage to property, however caused, whilst at NWWC. • The NWWC holds public liability cover. Health and safety considerations • Due to the strenuous nature of white water Rafting/Orcas/Canyoning, all participants must be physically able. Anyone with a medical condition or injury which may impede their ability to Raft/Orca/Canyon should consult their medical practitioner to assess their ability to Raft. The centre should be informed of any medical conditions or injuries. • All course participants must be able to swim and be confident swimming in open water (defined as 25 metres). • Rafting/Orcas/Canyoning is not suitable if you are pregnant. • The maximum weight limit for activities with the NWWC is 115kg (18st), and the maximum chest size is 51inches. Centre management reserves the right to ask you to be weighed - this is for safety reasons. • For any participant under the age of 18 years old, a parent/guardian or another adult authorised by the parent/guardian will be required to agree to their participation in Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions (they will be required to sign agreeing to these terms and conditions on behalf of under 18 year olds on the day). • Spectacles can be a hazard to you whilst participating in Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions. You are strongly recommended not to wear spectacles of any kind. If you choose to wear spectacles you must accept that injury may occur and accept full responsibility for any such injury. • Participants may wear contact lenses. • Rafting/Orca/Canyoning participants will not be permitted to consume alcohol or drugs prior to, or during, the session. The Centre Staff reserve the right to refuse participation to anyone considered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. • If a participant acts in any such manner as to endanger him/herself, any other NWWC user or staff, they may be asked to leave the session. • If a participant is not deemed to be of a suitable standard for a particular session, they may be asked to leave the session. • The course participants must remain the same throughout the session. Places are non-transferable once the session has started. • Disabled persons are welcome to participate in Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions subject to their requirements being discussed with the centre at the time of booking to ensure that they can be met. • Canoe Wales (CW) and the NWWC recognise the need to ensure the welfare and safety of all young people. Whilst taking part in an activity, participants may be photographed by CW, the NWWC or their approved agents. These images may be used for promotion by CW. If this is not acceptable please contact the NWWC. Your wishes will be respected. • In accordance with our child protection policy and procedures, we will not permit photographs, video or other images of children/young people to be used without the consent of the parents/carers and children/young people. We will take all possible steps to ensure these images are used solely for the purpose they are intended. If you become aware that these images are being used inappropriately you should inform the NWWC immediately. • Should anyone not consent to being photographed by the National White Water Centre, please inform the Centre before your session. • The NWWC operates a policy of inclusivity; if you or your group have any specific requirements we recommend that you contact the centre in advance to ensure that suitable arrangements can be made. • Due to the hazardous nature of activities run by the NWWC, Rafting/Orca/Canyoning participants must arrive 30 minutes prior to the session start time to attend a comprehensive safety briefing, failure to do so will result in you being unable to participate in this activity. Water levels • Rafting/Orca sessions can only take place at NWWC when there is a suitable water release from Llyn Celyn Reservoir. • There is always the possibility of water being turned off at short notice e.g. in the interest of flood defence or following a mechanical breakdown at the dam. Participants must therefore check on the most up-to-date information regarding water releases before travelling. This can be done by checking the website: www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk/water-information. • Canyoning sessions can only take place when the water levels are at an appropriate level in the gorge. There is always a chance that water levels can change at short notice, please contact the centre on 01678 521083 or [email protected] before you travel. • Refunds will be made in the event of failure to deliver any Rafting/Orca/Canyoning session due to unsuitable water levels. The NWWC will not accept any liability for any other expenditures or costs incurred by prospective participants. Equipment and clothing • For safety reasons, participants on Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions must wear NWWC helmets and buoyancy aids. • A suitable wetsuit/dry-suit and foot wear must be worn for all Rafting/Orca/Canyoning sessions; participants may wear their own wetsuits/dry-suits as long as they are long legged, have been checked by our Centre Staff and deemed suitable for the activity. • Damage to or loss of centre equipment caused by negligence, malicious acts or carelessness must be paid for at the time at current replacement value. • Clients should bring swimwear and a towel. • Midges can cause a nuisance in upland areas of Wales particularly in early summer; Rafting/Orca/Canyoning participants attending in the summer should consider using insect repellent. Bookings and payment • All activities must be paid for in full at time of booking. Additional conditions of service for Orca Sessions • All Orca participants must be 16 years old or over. • The minimum and maximum participants for Orca (excluding NWWC guides) are a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 participants per session. • Should you need to cancel your booking for any reason more than 30 days before your session commences the cancellation charges will be £25 per person. • Any bookings transferred between 30 days and 5 working days before your session date will be liable to a 50% surcharge. No transfers can be arranged within 5 working days of your session date. • No Refunds will be offered which arise from circumstances that are beyond the control of the NWWC, except for water releases. • Our coronavirus specific cancellation policy can be found here: https://www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk/covid-19-cancellation-policy. • Circumstances beyond the control of NWWC are defined as: natural disasters, failure of public or private transport, civil commotion, riots or terrorism, failure of telecommunications networks, failure of public/private support infrastructure. • If an Orca session has to be cancelled due to there being fewer than the minimum participants for the session as laid out above, the NWWC withholds the right to offer to transfer the booking to another date or provide a full refund. • I understand that my personal data may be used for Track and Trace purposes, as required by the Welsh Government • Face coverings must now be worn in public indoor spaces in Wales. You will be required to wear a facemask in the minibus on your session. Remember: • Please bring your booking confirmation for your activity with you. • NWWC postcode is LL23 7NU. • Please bring swimwear, a towel and a face covering with you for your session. • Arrive 30 minutes prior to your session start time. • Water releases can change at any time. Please check the Water Information on our website www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk/water-information before you travel to the centre. If there is no water release, you may choose between a full refund or transfer to another date. Other useful information Please plan your journey to arrive at the centre HALF AN HOUR before your session start time, so that you can sign in, meet your guide and be kitted out.