Hire terms

The hirer must be 18 or over and is responsible for the equipment and for everyone using it during the hire.

Photo ID may be checked at collection. We do not store copies or images of your ID.

Hire is arranged in advance in calendar-day blocks. It is not a walk-up or on-the-day hire service.

You give a preferred collection and return time; both are confirmed by SHACADEMY before the hire begins.

Board choice, including hard race and surf boards, is matched to the paddler and the intended use, where appropriate and available.

Premium hard boards are supplied by request and approval only, and require suitable paddling experience and a suitable roof rack.

UK use only. Use outside the UK is only permitted with prior written approval from SHACADEMY.

You are responsible for choosing whether conditions, your ability and the location are suitable on the day, and for following local rules, access permissions and any waterway licensing.

SHACADEMY may decline to release equipment, or advise against a particular use, where we consider it unsuitable.

Leash choice and set-up depend on the environment. On moving water a quick-release belt system may be supplied or recommended where required; a standard ankle leash is not appropriate on rivers or other moving water.

A correctly fitting buoyancy aid is strongly recommended. You may use your own suitable PFD or hire one from us; if you decline, you do so having read our safety guidance.

Weather, water conditions, cold water and your own capability remain your responsibility throughout the hire.

You are responsible for the equipment from handover until it is returned and inspected.

Fair wear and tear is expected and excluded.

You are responsible for reasonable repair or replacement costs for loss, theft, missing components or damage beyond fair wear and tear.

Any loss, theft, damage or incident must be reported to SHACADEMY immediately.

Equipment must be stored securely whenever it is unattended.

Equipment must come back substantially as supplied, with all components present and clean enough to be inspected.

Exceptional cleaning may incur a reasonable charge based on the actual work required. There is no fixed cleaning fee.

A late return may attract the applicable extra daily hire charge, plus reasonable losses where it disrupts another confirmed booking.

There is no punitive fixed penalty.

No refundable deposit and no card pre-authorisation (hold) is taken at booking. Nothing beyond the hire price is charged or ring-fenced.

When you pay, our payment provider Stripe securely saves the payment method you used. SHACADEMY never receives or stores your full card details.

By ticking the saved-payment authorisation at booking, you authorise SHACADEMY to make a single later charge to that saved payment method, without you being present, only for reasonable and evidenced loss, theft, damage beyond fair wear and tear, exceptional cleaning, missing components, or losses arising from a late return, in each case under this agreement.

The maximum that may be charged in this way is £500 for standard inflatable hire and £1,000 for premium hard board hire.

The amount is based on the actual reasonable cost of repair, replacement or the work required, or the applicable extra daily hire charge for a late return. It is never a fixed penalty.

Wherever reasonably possible, we will contact you first with an explanation and the supporting evidence — photographs, a repair quote or an invoice — before any charge is made.

A later charge is not guaranteed security: it may be declined by your bank, or your bank may require you to authenticate it. Where that happens the amount remains payable under this agreement.

You can ask us to remove the saved payment method once the hire is closed and any charge is settled.

Standard hire is paid in full at the time of booking.

Premium hire is requested first, approved by SHACADEMY, and then paid via a payment request before the hire is confirmed.

Payments are taken by our payment provider, Stripe. SHACADEMY never receives or stores your full card details.

Free cancellation or reschedule more than 14 days before the hire start date.

50% refund for cancellation 7 to 14 days before the start date.

No refund inside 7 days, although we will offer one discretionary reschedule where practical.

If SHACADEMY cancels or cannot supply the equipment, you will be offered alternative equipment, an alternative date, a credit, or a full refund.

These terms do not exclude or limit any duty or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

The version of these terms shown to you at booking is the version that applies, and is recorded with your booking.