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These Terms & Conditions form the basis of your booking with Academy Sailing Limited (“Academy Sailing”). Please read them carefully before booking.

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CONTRACT

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• A Contract is formed between Academy Sailing and the Client (“you”) when:
   

  1. You make a booking to take part in a course, holiday, or training programme (“the Programme”), and
      

  2. Academy Sailing confirms that booking.
      

• All bookings are subject to these Terms & Conditions and governed by English Law.
   

• Bookings may be made by phone, email, or through our website.
   

• Information you provide forms the basis of the Contract. By booking, you accept these Terms on behalf of all persons included.
   

• Academy Sailing will confirm the Contract in writing (usually by email).
   

• You must ensure all details provided are accurate.

 

Course Experience Requirements
 

• Information about the minimum experience required for each course is published on Academy Sailing’s website.
   

• It is the Client’s responsibility to read and understand these requirements, seek clarification where needed, and ensure they meet the stated minimum experience before booking.
   

• Where a Client provides misleading information (whether intentionally or unintentionally) about qualifications or experience, or where it becomes apparent they do not meet the required level, Academy Sailing reserves the right to terminate the Contract without notice.

 

PAYMENT

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• The Programme Fee means the full cost of the booked course, holiday, or sailing experience.
   

• The person making the booking is responsible for payment on behalf of all named participants.
   

• A non-refundable deposit is required to confirm any booking.
   

• The balance of the Programme Fee must be paid no later than 8 weeks before the start date (“the Due Date”).
   

• If booking within 8 weeks of the start date, full payment is required immediately.
   

• Failure to pay the balance by the Due Date will result in loss of your booking and deposit.

 

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

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• Cancellations must be made in writing (including by email or text) and take effect once received by Academy Sailing.
   

• A cancellation means you notify us you will not attend the Programme, whether or not you request to rebook another date.
   

• Refunds are made according to notice given:
   

  • More than 8 weeks’ notice – refund of all Programme Fees paid, less the non-refundable deposit and any card/bank fees.
     

  • 8 weeks or less, but more than 4 weeks – 50% refund of the Programme Fee (less fees). If full payment has not yet been made, you must pay the difference between the deposit and 50% before cancellation is valid.
     

  • 4 weeks or less – no refund. If full payment has not yet been made, the outstanding balance remains payable.
     

⚠️ For the avoidance of doubt: once within 8 weeks of the Programme start date, the full Programme Fee is contractually owed, whether or not it has already been paid.

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COURSE CHANGES BY ACADEMY SAILING

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• Academy Sailing will not normally cancel a Programme less than 6 weeks before the start.
   

• If unusual or unforeseen circumstances force cancellation, you will be offered an alternative Programme (where possible) or a full refund.
   

• Academy Sailing accepts no liability for additional costs you may incur (e.g. travel or accommodation) in the event of cancellation or Programme changes.

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SLEEPING BUNK ALLOCATION

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• Sleeping bunks are allocated at Academy Sailing’s discretion.
   

• All clients will have their own bunk. This may be in a shared same-gender cabin.

 

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FITNESS, COURSE REGISTRATION, INSURANCE & TRAVEL

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• You must be physically fit and healthy enough to take part in yacht sailing.
   

• You cannot participate without first completing our confidential online course registration form, which collects essential information for safety and medical purposes.
   

• Academy Sailing cannot provide refunds outside the above cancellation policy. Clients are therefore strongly advised to take out travel/holiday insurance covering:-
   

  • Cancellation
     

  • Injury or illness
     

  • Medical expenses
     

  • Sailing activity (including offshore passages)
     

• You are responsible for all travel to/from the vessel, and for passports/visas where applicable.

 

 

CONDUCT

 

By booking, you agree:-
 

• To respect Academy Sailing’s Equality Policy. Discriminatory behaviour of any kind may result in immediate removal.
   

• To follow Academy Sailing’s Standard Operating Procedures and all safety instructions.
   

• To accept the authority of Academy Sailing staff, instructors, and skippers. The Skipper’s decision is final.
   

• That disruptive or unsafe behaviour may result in dismissal from the vessel with no refund.
   

• To wear appropriate non-marking footwear (deck shoes, non-marking trainers, or sailing boots). Other footwear (e.g. wellies, hiking boots, marking soles) is not permitted.
   

• That smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on board.
   

• That alcohol may only be consumed on board with the Instructor’s permission, and never during sailing activity. You must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while sailing.
   

• That only prescribed medication may be taken on board, and only if it does not make you unsafe to participate.
   

• That the Skipper may change or terminate a passage at any time for safety reasons (weather, vessel, or crew condition).

 

NEURODIVERGENCE & ADDITIONAL NEEDS

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• Academy Sailing is committed to being inclusive and will make reasonable adjustments to support clients with neurodivergent conditions or other additional needs.
   

• To enable this, clients must disclose any condition or need which may affect their participation, behaviour, or interaction with others at the time of booking and on the online course registration form. Early disclosure allows us to consider how best to support the client and the wider group.
   

• Adjustments will always be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, due to the nature of sailing and living closely with others on board, it may not always be possible to accommodate every need safely or effectively.
   

• Where Academy Sailing determines that a client’s needs cannot reasonably be accommodated, the booking may be declined, and any deposit or fees paid will be refunded in line with our cancellation policy.
   

• If undisclosed needs become apparent during a course and significantly impact safety, well-being, or the learning experience of others, Academy Sailing reserves the right to require the client to withdraw. In such circumstances, no refund will be due.

OWN BOAT TUITION

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For Own Boat Tuition, the Client (vessel owner) agrees:
 

• The vessel must be:-
   

  • Fully insured for loss, damage, and third-party liability
     

  • Sound, seaworthy, and fit for purpose (including in-date life-raft and flares unless agreed otherwise)
     

  • Adequately equipped and provisioned, with lifejackets for all persons (the Academy Sailing instructor will provide their own unless agreed otherwise)
     

• The owner remains the Skipper and is legally responsible for the safe management and operation of the vessel at all times, including when under tuition.
   

• The owner and all crew must comply with the Conduct section above

 

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Read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.