Facing blank pages - Terms and conditions

By booking a Waves & Freedom surf retreat and making any payment, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Booking & Payment

Your place is confirmed once the required deposit or payment has been successfully received.

The remaining balance must be paid by the deadline communicated at the time of booking. Failure to complete payment by the required date may result in cancellation of your booking.

A total 6% website booking and processing fee applies to payments made through our booking system. This fee covers payment processing, booking platform and administrative costs and is non-refundable in all circumstances, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

2. Cancellation & Refunds

Due to the small number of guests accepted on each retreat and the advance costs involved in organising accommodation, coaches, transportation and other services, retreat payments are subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Guests are responsible for reading the cancellation conditions before booking. Any updates, change in your booking must be made 90 days prior to the start of the retreat.

No refund will be provided for arriving late, leaving early, missed activities, missed surf sessions, personal travel disruptions or a change of mind, except where otherwise required by applicable law.

The 6% website booking and processing fee is non-refundable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

3. Guest Conduct & Respect

Waves & Freedom retreats are intimate, small-group experiences. Mutual respect, kindness and appropriate communication are essential to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Guests are expected to communicate and behave respectfully toward the retreat host, coaches, staff, local partners and other guests both before and during the retreat.

We reserve the right to refuse, cancel or terminate a guest's booking or participation where, in our reasonable judgment, their behaviour is threatening, abusive, harassing, discriminatory, persistently disrespectful, aggressive or seriously disruptive to the group environment.

Questions, concerns, complaints and respectful disagreement are always welcome and will not, by themselves, be grounds for cancellation.

If participation is terminated due to serious misconduct, any refund will be handled according to these Terms, our Cancellation & Refund Policy and applicable law.

4. Mandatory Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for every guest participating in the retreat. Guests are responsible for obtaining suitable insurance before travelling. Your policy must provide appropriate coverage for your circumstances and should include:

• Surfing and sports-related injuries
• Medical treatment and emergencies
• Emergency evacuation where applicable
• Accidents and injuries
  
  

We strongly recommend additional coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, flight delays or cancellations, lost luggage and other travel disruptions. It is the guest's responsibility to understand their insurance policy, coverage and exclusions.

Any medical treatment, evacuation, transportation or other costs that are not covered by your insurance remain entirely your responsibility.

5. Surfing & Inherent Risks

Surfing and ocean activities involve inherent risks, including waves, currents, reefs, marine life, collisions, changing weather and ocean conditions, physical injury and accidents. By participating in the retreat, you acknowledge these inherent risks and agree to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by our coaches and retreat team. You are responsible for accurately communicating your surfing ability, swimming ability and any relevant health conditions or injuries before participating.

The coaching team reserves the right to restrict participation in a particular surf session or activity if conditions are considered unsuitable for your ability or safety.

6. Health & Medical Information

Guests must inform us before the retreat of any relevant medical conditions, injuries, allergies, medications, dietary requirements or other circumstances that could reasonably affect their participation.

Guests remain responsible for determining whether they are medically and physically able to participate in surfing and other retreat activities.

7. Accommodation

Accommodation arrangements depend on the specific retreat and destination and will be described in the retreat information provided.

Some accommodation may be shared or twin accommodation unless your booking specifically states that a private room is included.

Where available, private-room upgrades may be requested for an additional cost and are subject to availability. Guests are responsible for reviewing the accommodation arrangements for their chosen retreat before booking.

8. Meals, Drinks & Personal Expenses

Meals specifically listed as included in your retreat package are provided.

Additional items such as specialty coffees, smoothies, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, additional food, snacks, massages, shopping and other personal expenses are not included unless specifically stated otherwise.

Guests are welcome to bring their favourite snacks or treats, particularly for retreats in remote locations where shops and food choices may be limited.

9. Surf Photos, Videos & Storage

Where surf photography and/or video footage is included, guests should bring an external SSD/hard drive with sufficient available storage to receive their footage.

Standard USB flash drives may not be suitable due to the size of the files and transfer speeds. A laptop with sufficient available storage may be accepted as an alternative where agreed. Guests are responsible for ensuring they have adequate storage available to receive their files.

10. Retreat Schedule & Surf Conditions

Surfing depends entirely on natural conditions. Waves, weather, tides, currents and surf quality cannot be guaranteed.

Daily schedules, surf locations, activities, coaching sessions and transportation may change depending on conditions, safety considerations or circumstances outside our reasonable control.

Our team will always aim to provide the best possible experience while prioritising guest safety.

11. Transportation & Personal Travel

Guests are responsible for arranging their flights and personal travel according to the arrival and departure recommendations provided for the retreat.

We strongly recommend allowing sufficient time between retreat transportation and onward flights.

We are not responsible for missed flights, airline schedule changes, delays, cancellations or additional costs resulting from independent travel arrangements, except where required by applicable law.

12. Changes or Cancellation by Waves & Freedom

In exceptional circumstances, we may need to change, postpone or cancel part or all of a retreat due to safety concerns, weather, natural events, government restrictions, transportation issues, force majeure or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.

Any refund, credit or alternative arrangement will be determined according to the circumstances, these Terms & Conditions and applicable consumer law.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any consumer rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

13. Personal Belongings

Guests are responsible for their own luggage, surfboards, electronics, passports, money and other personal belongings.

We are not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings except where liability cannot legally be excluded.

Appropriate travel insurance is strongly recommended for valuable belongings and surf equipment.

14. Acceptance of Terms

By completing your booking and making payment, you confirm that you:

• Have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions.
• Understand what is and is not included in your retreat.
• Understand the accommodation arrangements associated with your booking.
• Agree to obtain appropriate travel insurance.
• Understand the inherent risks associated with surfing.
• Agree to behave and communicate respectfully.
• Understand that the total website booking and processing fee is 6% and non-refundable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
• Have reviewed and accepted the applicable Cancellation & Refund Policy.

By completing your booking, you confirm your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.