Health and Safety. Appropriate Health and Safety precautions are the responsibility of participants. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians, teachers or group leaders to ensure that their family or group takes appropriate precautions. Those hiring canoes should normally be able to swim. It is the responsibility of individuals to bring medication and personal items e.g. aspirins, sunscreen and insect bite cream. THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ISSUED. Participants should be aware of the existence in the outdoor environment of naturally occurring infections such as tetanus and leptospirosis, and take precautions, such as cleaning and covering abrasions, cuts and scratches occurring before or during outdoor activities, and showering after outdoor activities. If you feel unwell, even some days or weeks after outdoor activities, consult your doctor and tell him/her what you have been doing and where.

Insurance. Backwaters carries public liability insurance. Personal insurance for clients is NOT included in the hire fee and participants take part at their own risk.

Booking Deposit and Balance Payments. A non-refundable deposit of 25% is payable on all bookings made more than 21 days before commencement. For bookings made within 21 days of commencement, the full fee is due. Where a deposit has been paid, the balance of the fee is payable 14 days before commencement The person signing the booking form on behalf of the client/s undertakes to comply with the schedule for payment. In the event of cancellation by the client the booking may, at the discretion of Backwaters, be transferred to another date. In this event a charge may be made to the client for administration. No refunds will be given for bookings or part bookings cancelled after the balance due date. Many holiday insurance policies will cover for cancellation charges. In the event of cancellation by Backwaters, a choice of full refund of any monies paid or transfer to another booking will be offered.

1. Hire is at the customer's own risk. Backwaters accepts no responsibility for accident or injury to the hirer or his/her party. It is the responsibility of the hirer to ensure that s/he has sufficient ability and experience.

2. Notwithstanding the above, Backwaters reserve the right to cancel or alter a customer's hire or to refuse hire to any group or individual. Backwaters will not hire equipment to anyone who, in the opinion of our staff, would be over the legal drink-driving limit. While on your trip, remember that it is unwise to consume large amounts of alcohol before going onto the water.

3. The equipment may not be removed from the environs (towpath or riverbank) of the waterway for which it is hired, except on conclusion of the hire, when it should be taken to the agreed transport pick-up point.

4. The hirer named overleaf shall be responsible for the safe return of the equipment. The hirer, or another responsible adult, shall remain with the equipment at all times it is not in use, until it is collected by a representative of Backwaters.

5. The hirer shall ensure that no members of his/her party misuse or damage the equipment in any way.

• BUOYANCY AIDS MUST NOT BE USED AS CUSHIONS

• No smoking is allowed in the tents.

• No stoves, gas lamps or other naked flame devices may be used in the tents.

• Tents must be packed in the bags or containers provided when not in use.

• Sleeping bags must be kept clean and dry, and packed away after use.

• Stoves, crockery, utensils must be washed up after use and returned clean.

• Barrells should be returned clean and empty. Rubbish must be taken away.

A deposit shall be collected and retained until such time as the Backwaters representative is satisfied that the equipment has been returned in a clean and serviceable condition. Where repairs or extra cleaning are necessary, a proportion of the deposit will be retained.

6. Children under 16 must not be allowed to use the equipment unless supervised an adult. Unsupervised young people aged aged 16-18 must obtain the written consent of a parent or guardian.

7. Helmets and/or Buoyancy aids are issued as appropriate, and should be worn when on the water.

8. The hirer shall ensure that all members of his/her party follow the Countryside Code, the Waterways Code and the regulations for the waterway in use. Due consideration must be given to other water users.

9. The hirer shall ensure that no member of his/her party trespasses on private waterside property.

10. The hirer shall ensure that all members of his/her party follow any reasonable instruction or request from bona fide officials of British Waterways or Environment Agency.