TERMS & CONDITIONS (Children, Cadets and Adult Participants) – Cinque Ports Sailing
These Terms and Conditions apply to all participants taking part in training, courses, or club sailing sessions organised by Cinque Ports Sailing. Clauses relating specifically to children, parental consent, supervision, or safeguarding apply only to participants under the age of 18.
1. Delivery of Training
Cinque Ports Sailing acts as the umbrella membership organisation for Cinque Ports Sailing, Dover, Martello Lakes Sailing (Hythe) and Conningbrook Lakes Sailing (Ashford). Each of the three centres operates under a distinct RYA-recognised centre name, in accordance with RYA requirements.
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national governing body for sailing and all Cinque Ports Sailing RYA courses are delivered in line with the Association’s approved syllabus.
Sailing training sessions are delivered by Cinque Ports Sailing or by an appointed RYA Recognised Training Centre, staffed by appropriately qualified and experienced RYA instructors. Non-RYA sessions (for example, sailing on club members’ boats or club boats) are also covered by these conditions.
2. Eligibility and Safety
Participants must be aged 8+ unless otherwise agreed in advance. Cadet or child participants must be aged 8-18 unless otherwise agreed in advance.
All participants must wear a suitable buoyancy aid or lifejacket while on the water and must be confident in the water. Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn at all times.
3. Supervision, Arrival and Collection
Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (or an adult appointed by them) when sailing on a yacht. All children must be accompanied at the start and end of each session. Written permission is required for children aged 13–17 to leave sessions unaccompanied. Parents or guardians must remain contactable by mobile phone during sessions.
4. Parental Consent and Medical Information
A Parental Consent Form must be completed for each child. Parents/guardians must ensure information is accurate and up to date.
All participants must disclose any medical conditions or medication that could affect participation on the booking form and highlight again to the Instructor before the safety briefing on the day of the course/session.
Cinque Ports Sailing reserves the right to refuse participation on medical or safety grounds.
5. Instructions and Behaviour
Participants must follow all reasonable instructions given by staff or instructors. Cinque Ports Sailing reserves the right to remove participants whose behaviour is unsafe or disruptive.
6. Equipment and Personal
Property Participants must respect boats and equipment. Compensation may be sought for deliberate or reckless damage. Personal property is brought at the owner’s risk.
7. Use of Safety Equipment
Borrowed buoyancy aids or lifejackets are provided in good faith and checked regularly. Nothing in these conditions limits Cinque Ports Sailing’s legal responsibilities.
8. Liability
Cinque Ports Sailing accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property except where required by law. Nothing limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
9. Cancellations, Changes and Refunds
Cinque Ports Sailing may cancel or alter sessions due to weather, safety or operational reasons. Refunds follow the Booking and Refund Policy.
10. Changes to Conditions
Participants, Parents and guardians must keep informed of updates to these conditions.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO - CONDITIONS OF USE
In accordance with our safeguarding policy, Cinque Ports Sailing will not arrange for photographs, video, or other images of adult participants, children or young people to be taken or published without appropriate consent from parents/guardians and the children or adult participant involved.
We will observe the following conditions:
If you have concerns about the use of images, please contact the Cinque Ports Sailing Safeguarding Officer via email info@cinqueportssailing.co.uk
BOOKING AND REFUND POLICY
· When making a booking, you agree to the Cinque Ports Sailing general terms and conditions. These will be highlighted to you during the booking process and can also be found here on our website www.cinqueportssailing.co.uk
· Cancellations made more than 14 days before the session start date are eligible for a full refund if no alternative date is available.
· Cancellations within 14 days of the start date are non-refundable but can be transferred to an alternative date if available for an administration fee of £10.00.
· No refunds are given for non-attendance.
· If Cinque Ports Sailing if forced to cancel a session, an alternative date will be offered where possible or a full refund will be given.
· All courses and organised sailing activity at Cinque Ports Sailing Dover, Martello Lakes Hythe and Conningbrook Lakes, Ashford, is administered by Cinque Ports Sailing (the Sailing School). In order to comply with insurance requirements all participants must be enrolled in Cinque Ports Sailing. The annual enrolment fee must be paid and is non-refundable (£25 per adults, £15 per child).
© 2026 Cinque Ports Sailing Ltd (Co. No. 09031380), incorporating Conningbrook Lakes Sailing, Martello Lakes Sailing and Cinque Ports Sailing Club CIC (Co. No. 16188173).
Registered office: King Arthurs Court, Maidstone Rd, Charing, Ashford, Kent TN27 0JS.