These terms apply to every course, camp, private lesson, rental and charter booked with SA Sailing Academy. Please read them before you book. If anything is unclear, email coach@sailingacademy.co.za or call 072 219 5951.
Last updated: 6 October 2026
At a glance
- Deposit: 60% of the course fee, paid online when you book.
- Balance: due 7 days before your course starts. Bookings made within 7 days of the start are paid in full.
- Cancellation by you: more than 60 days before the start, full refund less a 15% admin fee; 30 to 60 days before, 50% refund; less than 30 days before, no refund.
- Cancellation by us (weather, mechanical problems or force majeure): you are offered a transfer to another date.
- Safety: everyone wears a life jacket on the water, and you must be able to stay afloat.
Contents
- Agreement and booking
- Fees and payments
- Cancellations and refunds
- Health, fitness and safety
- Liability and insurance
- Conduct and rules
- Weather and course changes
- Media and privacy
- Equipment and boat use
- Complaints and dispute resolution
- Gift vouchers
1. Agreement and booking
- By booking a course, event or charter (through the website, by email, by phone or in person), you (the “Participant” or “Client”) enter into a legally binding contract with SA Sailing Academy (the “Academy”).
- A booking requires completion of all forms, including medical questionnaires and waivers, and payment of a deposit of 60% of the total fee.
- All Participants must be at least 18 years old. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who signs on their behalf, except on dedicated youth courses (youth dinghy sailing camps, youth keelboat courses and school sailing camps). Under-18s require parental consent for all activities.
- The Academy reserves the right to refuse or cancel a booking if requirements (for example fitness levels or certifications) are not met.
- Governing law: this agreement is subject to the laws of South Africa.
2. Fees and payments
- A deposit of 60% of the course fee is paid online when you book, to secure your place.
- We email you a link to pay the balance, which is due 7 days before your course starts. Bookings made within 7 days of the start are paid in full when you book.
- Late payment may incur fees or lead to cancellation of your booking.
- Fees include instruction, use of equipment and boats, and basic provisions, fuel, tea and coffee.
3. Cancellations and refunds
If you cancel
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days before the course starts | Full refund less a 15% admin fee |
| 30 to 60 days before the course starts | 50% refund |
| Less than 30 days before the course starts | No refund |
If we cancel
Because of weather, mechanical problems or force majeure, the Academy may cancel or change a course. If we do, you are offered a transfer to an alternative date, and the Academy has no further liability.
Leaving early
There are no refunds if a Participant leaves a course early, whether because of illness or for any other reason.
4. Health, fitness and safety
- Participants must disclose all medical conditions (for example allergies, heart conditions or pregnancy) on the booking forms. The Academy may ask for a doctor’s note for certain conditions.
- Minimum fitness: you must be able to move safely on a moving boat, lift basic gear (around 10 to 20 kg) and stay afloat in the water. Everyone wears a life jacket on the water, however well they swim. Courses may involve physical exertion, and Participants accept the risks this involves.
- Under-18s must remain under the supervision of a parent or guardian, except on dedicated youth courses (youth dinghy sailing camps, youth keelboat courses and school sailing camps), where additional supervision rules apply.
- Health protocols: Participants must comply with any health guidelines in force at the time of the course.
- Emergencies: the authority of the Coach, Instructor or Skipper is absolute under maritime law. Participants must follow all commands given for safety.
5. Liability and insurance
- Inherent risks: sailing involves risks such as drowning, injury from falls or equipment, changes in weather and seasickness. Participants acknowledge these risks and take part at their own risk.
- The Academy’s liability is limited to negligence only. The Academy is not liable for indirect losses (for example missed flights). The Academy’s maximum liability is capped at the course fees paid.
- Participant’s insurance: Participants are required to have personal travel or medical insurance that covers sailing. The Academy provides third-party boat insurance, but does not cover personal belongings or personal injury.
- Damage to Academy property: Participants are liable for wilful damage.
- Force majeure: the Academy is not liable for events beyond its control.
6. Conduct and rules
- Participants must follow the instructions of the Skipper, Coach or Instructor at all times. Refusing to do so may result in removal from the course without a refund.
- Illegal drugs, excessive alcohol (to the point of affecting safety) and disruptive behaviour are not allowed. Breaking this rule leads to immediate removal from the course.
- Navigation: for independent chartering, Participants must hold the required licences (for example a VHF radio licence or basic seamanship qualification), and may sail only in designated areas and in favourable conditions.
- Environment: no littering, and Participants must comply with marine protected area rules.
7. Weather and course changes
- Courses go ahead in conditions the Skipper judges to be safe (as a guide, up to Force 5 on the Beaufort scale). Poor weather may change the plan, shorten sessions or move training to theory or indoor sessions. No refunds are given for these changes.
- The Academy may change routes, boats or schedules for safety or operational reasons.
8. Media and privacy
- Participants give the Academy permission to use photos and videos of them (and their likeness) for promotional purposes, such as the website and social media.
- Personal information is handled in line with POPIA and our privacy policy. We collect information for bookings, safety and, with your consent, marketing.
9. Equipment and boat use
- Provided by the Academy: boats, sails and safety gear (life jackets and harnesses). Participants bring their own clothing, sunscreen and non-slip shoes.
- Boats must be returned clean. If not, a cleaning charge applies.
- Charters: the skipper must log all activities and report any problems immediately.
10. Complaints and dispute resolution
- Please raise any issue on site with the Skipper, Coach or Instructor. Complaints after a course must be emailed to coach@sailingacademy.co.za within 7 days.
- We aim to resolve complaints informally first. If a dispute cannot be resolved, binding arbitration or the small claims court applies.
11. Gift vouchers
- Gift vouchers can be used towards any course, camp or private lesson booked online with the Academy.
- Vouchers are valid for 3 years from the date of purchase. Any unused balance stays on the voucher until it expires or is used up.
- Vouchers are transferable but cannot be exchanged for cash or refunded. Keep your code safe: the Academy can’t replace a lost code that has already been used.
- A voucher does not reserve a place. Bookings are subject to availability and these terms.
- If a booking paid for with a voucher is cancelled, any refund due under section 3 is credited back to the voucher rather than paid out in cash.
By signing or booking, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these terms. Questions? Email coach@sailingacademy.co.za or see our FAQ.