WHITE TIP SAILING / WHITE TIP RACING / WHITE TIP RACE ACADEMY Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions

White Tip Sailing Ltd (WTS)

Subject to change. Current version always available at whitetipsailing.com

1. The Contract

White Tip Sailing Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales and is your contractual partner when you book a course. These terms and conditions govern all bookings made with WTS, whether online, by telephone, by email, in writing, or in person.

A booking is accepted, and a contract formed, when WTS confirms acceptance of your booking (verbally, by email, or by text) and the appropriate booking deposit or full fee has been received. Phone calls to and from WTS may be monitored or recorded.

WTS reserves the right to update these terms at any time. The version in force at the date of your booking applies to your contract.

2. Fees and Payment

Booking deposits

Booking deposits are per person and are non-refundable in all circumstances.

Full fees

Full fees must be paid and cleared with our bank by the Full Fees Due Date shown in the table below. If payment is not received by that date, WTS reserves the right to re-sell your place and your deposit will be forfeited. Bookings made after the Full Fees Due Date require full payment at the time of booking.

Payment methods

Our preferred payment method is bank transfer. Other methods are available on request but may be subject to additional charges. Card payment fees are passed on to the customer.

3. Cancellation by the Customer

Cancellations made before the Full Fees Due Date will result in forfeiture of the booking deposit. Cancellations made on or after the Full Fees Due Date will be liable for the full course fee.

These terms apply without exception. Enrolling on a course without the necessary prerequisites, or without the legal entitlement to attend, does not alter your cancellation liability.

WTS strongly recommends taking out third-party cancellation insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances such as illness, bereavement, or changes to work commitments.

4. Postponement by the Customer

How to postpone

You may postpone your course to a later available date on payment of the applicable rebooking fee (see table below). Postponement requests must be submitted by email to info@whitetipsailing.com. Notice is not accepted via social media or any other communication channel. An enquiry about postponement terms does not constitute notice; a written confirmation that you wish to postpone does.

When postponing, you may select any available date within nine months of your original course date. If WTS is unable to deliver your rebooked date, the rebooking fee will be refunded; the original course fee will not.

Notice period and rebooking fees

Notice is calculated from the point at which your email is received in our inbox to the scheduled course start time. A day is a 24-hour period.

The rebooking fee is calculated as a percentage of the current list price on the WTS website. Bulk-buy deals, trade pricing, and special offers are not applied when calculating rebooking fees.

5. Cancellation or Changes by WTS

WTS reserves the right to make changes to the advertised programme and, in exceptional circumstances, to postpone or cancel a course.

Force majeure postponement

In the unlikely event that circumstances beyond WTS’s reasonable control prevent a course from proceeding as scheduled, WTS reserves the right to postpone it. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: extreme weather, regional power failure, national emergency, war, terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, civil unrest, natural disaster, strike action, staff illness, or changes in legislation or regulation.

In these circumstances both parties will bear their own associated costs. WTS’s sole obligation is to offer reasonable alternative course dates within a reasonable timeframe. If alternative dates cannot be agreed, WTS may cancel the course and issue a full refund of course fees paid.

Cancellation by WTS

WTS reserves the right to cancel any booking at any time. In this event, WTS will offer alternative dates where possible. If alternative dates are not suitable, a full refund of course fees paid will be issued.

WTS will not be liable for any additional costs or losses incurred as a result of a cancellation, including travel and accommodation expenses. WTS recommends booking fully flexible or refundable travel and accommodation, and/or taking out appropriate insurance. WTS is unable to provide insurance advice.

6. Medical and Safety

For all practical courses, you must be in good physical health at the start of your course. If you have any doubt about your fitness to participate, you should consult your GP before attending.

By enrolling on any WTS course, you acknowledge that boating activities involve inherent risk. The decision to start or continue any activity rests entirely with you. It is your responsibility to determine that you are fit and healthy enough to participate.

You must inform your instructor before the course begins if you are taking any form of medication.

On all matters of safety, the decision of your instructor or skipper is final.

7. Life Jackets and Personal Buoyancy

For all practical courses, WTS will provide you with a life jacket and a lifeline.

You may bring and use your own equipment, subject to the following conditions:

It is your responsibility to ensure your own equipment meets these requirements. WTS reserves the right to require you to use WTS-provided equipment if your own does not comply.

8. Certification and External Fees

WTS provides all necessary teaching and coaching, but as with any training course or examination, completion and certification cannot be guaranteed. For RYA courses, the decision of the WTS Principal is final. For externally moderated RYA examinations, the WTS Appeals Policy applies.

Certification is included in the fee for most courses. The following RYA examination fees are not included in WTS course fees and must be paid directly to the RYA:

Attendance

100% attendance is required for all courses. If you miss any part of your course, WTS may be unable to issue certification.

Certificate delivery

Most certificates are printed and issued in person.

The following certificates are issued as PDF by email, normally within two working days of course completion: RYA SRC, RYA Day Skipper Shorebased, RYA Coastal Skipper/YachtmasterShorebased, and RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased.

Replacement certificates

If you lose a certificate issued by WTS, replacements are available at the following charges:

For RYA Short Range Certificates and RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence, contact the RYA directly.

9. Course Feedback

At the end of your course you will be asked to complete a course evaluation form. The Principaland your instructor read every form, and feedback is used to improve our procedures. Feedback is also retained for audit purposes.

Your certificate will be issued after we have received your completed form. You may write as much or as little as you wish, but one form per student per course is required.

10. Complaints

WTS is committed to resolving any concerns promptly and fairly. The complaints procedure operates in three stages:

11. Discipline

WTS reserves the right to remove a student from a course at any time if their behaviour is considered unacceptable. In this event, WTS has no obligation to refund any fees paid or to cover any travel, accommodation, or other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid by an employer or through an agent, WTS will normally inform that party of the reason for removal.

12. Own Boat Tuition

For own boat tuition and delivery, the following conditions apply:

WTS reserves the right to cancel an own boat tuition course without refund if WTS, its staff, or its agents consider the vessel to be unfit for the intended course or passage, or unseaworthy.

13. Minimum Age

Where a course has a minimum age requirement, this is stated on the relevant course page on the WTS website. A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form for all students under 18 years of age enrolling on practical courses.

14. Online and E-Learning Courses

RYA Short Range Certificate

This course is delivered by WTS using the RYA Interactive Platform. Phone and email support is available from WTS instructors throughout the course.

RYA Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster, and Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased(e-learning)

These courses are delivered via the Skippers Online platform or the Ardent Training Online platform. Email support is provided by the respective platform’s instructors.

Delivery by post

Where course materials are dispatched by post, WTS will normally despatch within one working day of receiving your order. UK delivery typically takes one to two days, though delivery times are outside WTS’s control. Overseas customers will be charged additional postage and should allow additional delivery time.

15. Photography and Video

From time to time, authorised parties may carry out photography and video recording at WTS courses and events. By enrolling on a course, you consent to WTS using such images in promotional, advertising, or publicity material in any medium. Copyright in such images rests with the authorised parties and/or WTS.

If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please notify WTS by email before the course begins, or inform your instructor at the start of the course. WTS will ensure you are not included in any photography or filming.

16. Personal Data and Privacy

By making an enquiry or purchasing any goods or services from WTS, you agree to WTS holding your information on electronic and/or paper file and to WTS contacting you with future offers, news, and product information.

You may withdraw this consent at any time by notifying WTS in writing or by email. Your data is stored in accordance with UK data protection law. WTS will not sell your data to third parties. WTS is required by law to retain most certification records for specified periods.

For more information please read our Privacy, Cookies & Data Protection Policy.

17. General

All RYA courses are taught in English. Instructor and Certificate of Competence candidates will be required to deliver briefings in English as part of their assessment.

Students agree to use the classroom, craft, resources, and accommodation allocated to them by WTS.

WTS accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to personal possessions while on WTS premises or aboard WTS vessels. Students are advised not to bring unnecessary valuables.

Terms & Conditions

White Tip Race Academy Ltd (WTRA) & White Tip Racing Ltd (WTR)

Subject to change. Current version always available at wt-ra.com

1. The Contract

White Tip Race Academy Ltd and White Tip Racing Ltd are companies registered in England and Wales. One of these companies is your contractual partner when you book a course or event. These terms and conditions govern all bookings made with WTRA or WTR, whether online, by telephone, by email, in writing, or in person.

A booking is accepted, and a contract formed, when WTRA or WTR confirms acceptance of your booking (verbally, by email, or by text) and the appropriate booking deposit or full fee has been received. Phone calls to and from WTRA/WTR may be monitored or recorded.

WTRA/WTR reserves the right to update these terms at any time. The version in force at the date of your booking applies to your contract.

2. Fees and Payment

Booking deposits

Booking deposits are non-refundable in all circumstances.

Full fees

Full fees must be paid and cleared with our bank by the Full Fees Due Date shown in the table below. If payment is not received by that date, WTRA/WTR reserves the right to re-sell your place and your deposit will be forfeited. Bookings made after the Full Fees Due Date require full payment at the time of booking.

Payment methods

Our preferred payment method is bank transfer. Other methods are available on request but may be subject to additional charges. Card payment fees are passed on to the customer.

Cards accepted: Visa Debit, Delta, Visa Electron, Maestro, Mastercard Debit, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. A card processing fee applies.

3. Cancellation by the Customer

Cancellations made before the Full Fees Due Date will result in forfeiture of the booking deposit. Cancellations made on or after the Full Fees Due Date will be liable for the full course or event fee.

These terms apply without exception. Enrolling without the necessary prerequisites, or without the legal entitlement to attend, does not alter your cancellation liability.

WTRA/WTR strongly recommends taking out third-party cancellation insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances such as illness, bereavement, or changes to work commitments.

4. Postponement by the Customer

How to postpone

You may postpone your booking to a later available date on payment of the applicable rebooking fee (see table below). Postponement requests must be submitted by email to race@wt-ra.com. Notice is not accepted via social media or any other communication channel. An enquiry about postponement terms does not constitute notice; a written confirmation that you wish to postpone does.

When postponing, you may select any available date within nine months of your original course or event date. If WTRA/WTR is unable to deliver your rebooked date, the rebooking fee will be refunded; the original course fee will not.

Notice period and rebooking fees

Notice is calculated from the point at which your email is received in our inbox to the scheduled course start time. A day is a 24-hour period.

The rebooking fee is calculated as a percentage of the current list price on the WTRA website. Bulk-buy deals, trade pricing, and special offers are not applied when calculating rebooking fees.

5. Cancellation or Changes by WTRA/WTR

WTRA/WTR reserves the right to make changes to the advertised programme and, in exceptional circumstances, to postpone or cancel a course or event.

Force majeure postponement

In the unlikely event that circumstances beyond WTRA/WTR’s reasonable control prevent a course or event from proceeding as scheduled, WTRA/WTR reserves the right to postpone it. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: extreme weather, regional power failure, national emergency, war, terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, civil unrest, natural disaster, strike action, staff illness, or changes in legislation or regulation.

In these circumstances both parties will bear their own associated costs. WTRA/WTR’s sole obligation is to offer reasonable alternative dates within a reasonable timeframe. If alternative dates cannot be agreed, WTRA/WTR may cancel the booking and issue a full refund of fees paid.

Cancellation by WTRA/WTR

WTRA/WTR reserves the right to cancel any booking at any time. In this event, WTRA/WTR will offer alternative dates where possible. If alternative dates are not suitable, a full refund of fees paid will be issued.

WTRA/WTR will not be liable for any additional costs or losses incurred as a result of a cancellation, including travel and accommodation expenses. WTRA/WTR recommends booking fully flexible or refundable travel and accommodation, and/or taking out appropriate insurance. WTRA/WTR is unable to provide insurance advice.

6. Medical and Safety

For all practical courses and events, you must be in good physical health at the start. If you have any doubt about your fitness to participate, you should consult your GP before attending.

By enrolling on any WTRA/WTR course or event, you acknowledge that boating and sailing activities involve inherent risk. The decision to start or continue any activity rests entirely with you. It is your responsibility to determine that you are fit and healthy enough to participate.

You must inform your instructor or skipper before the course begins if you are taking any form of medication.

It is strongly recommended that all sailing participants are able to swim. Non-swimmers must inform WTRA/WTR and their instructor before the course begins.

7. Life Jackets and Personal Buoyancy

For all practical courses and events, WTRA/WTR will provide you with a life jacket and a lifeline.

You may bring and use your own equipment, subject to the following conditions:

It is your responsibility to ensure your own equipment meets these requirements. WTRA/WTR reserves the right to require you to use WTRA/WTR-provided equipment if your own does not comply.

8. Courses, Races, and Events

WTRA/WTR provides all necessary teaching and coaching during training, racing, and events. The following terms apply to all WTRA/WTR activities.

Start times and duration

Start times and durations for all courses and events will be provided to participants in joining instructions.

Insurance

All yachts used by WTRA/WTR are fully insured against accident, third-party liability, and personal injury arising from neglect by WTRA/WTR. WTRA/WTR does not, however, accept any liability for personal accident, or for loss of or damage to participants’ personal property.

Participants are strongly recommended to take out their own comprehensive sailing insurance covering cancellation, accident, injury, and loss of personal possessions. Many standard travel and holiday insurance policies do not cover sailing activities. Participants should check the terms of any existing insurance and, where necessary, purchase additional cover before the course or event begins.

Client obligations

Participants are responsible for the following:

Client behaviour

All participants are expected to maintain standards of behaviour and personal conduct that will not be offensive to others on board or on neighbouring vessels. In particular:

Damage to property

Participants are responsible for damage to or loss of equipment caused by their own negligence or refusal to follow instructions given by a WTRA/WTR skipper or mate. Where WTRA/WTR provides accommodation, participants are responsible for any damage they cause, up to the damage deposit excess paid by WTRA/WTR.

WTRA/WTR obligations

WTRA/WTR undertakes the following obligations to participants:

Authority of the skipper and management

On WTRA/WTR’s premises, the manager’s decision is final. Once on board, the skipper takes over this authority and, where necessary, liaises with the manager. The skipper’s authority is total, day and night, in accordance with maritime law — including all matters of safety, seamanship, and the running of the vessel.

For all practical courses, every reasonable effort will be made to maximise participants’ time at sea. However, where the skipper considers that weather conditions, safety concerns, or any other factor renders it inadvisable to proceed, that decision is final.

Race participation and responsibility

Yacht racing is inherently dangerous. The attention of all persons in charge is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 3:

“The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.”

And to Special Regulation 1.02.1:

“The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the Person in Charge…”

By taking part in any WTRA/WTR race or event, each participant agrees and acknowledges that:

The WTRA skipper is the Person in Charge for all races and is the sole person who will decide whether conditions are suitable for participation.

Whenever wind conditions exceed 25 knots, the WTRA skipper has the right, at their sole discretion, to cancel participation in the race. In this event, alternative training will be provided, which may include a theory session ashore.

9. Feedback

At the end of your course or event you will be asked to complete an evaluation form. The principal and your instructor read every form, and the feedback is used to improve our procedures. Feedback is also retained for audit purposes.

You may write as much or as little as you wish, but one form per participant is required.

10. Complaints

WTRA/WTR is committed to resolving any concerns promptly and fairly. The complaints procedure operates in two stages:

11. Minimum Age

Participants under the age of 18 are accepted when sailing with a parent or guardian. For all participants under 18, these Terms & Conditions must be accepted and signed by the parent or guardian prior to the start of the course or event.

12. Photography and Video

From time to time, authorised parties may carry out photography and video recording at WTRA/WTR courses and events. By enrolling, you consent to WTRA/WTR using such images in promotional, advertising, or publicity material in any medium. Copyright in such images rests with the authorised parties and/or WTRA/WTR.

If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please notify WTRA/WTR by email before the course begins, or inform your instructor at the start of the course. WTRA/WTR will ensure you are not included in any photography or filming.

13. Personal Data and Privacy

By making an enquiry or purchasing any goods or services from WTRA/WTR, you agree to WTRA/WTR holding your information on electronic and/or paper file and to WTRA/WTR contacting you with future offers, news, and product information.

You may withdraw this consent at any time by notifying WTRA/WTR in writing or by email. Your data is stored in accordance with UK data protection law. WTRA/WTR will not sell your data to third parties. WTRA/WTR is required by law to retain most certification and participation records for specified periods.

For full details of how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, please read the WTRA/WTR Privacy, Cookies & Data Protection Policy, available at whitetipsailing.com.

14. General

WTRA/WTR accepts no liability for participants’ vehicles parked in marina grounds, or for possessions left in vehicles, on pontoons, or on-board vessels used by WTRA/WTR. Participants are advised not to bring unnecessary valuables.

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

White Tip Race Academy Ltd & White Tip Racing Ltd  |  whitetipsailing.com​