1) PAYMENT
A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required for the booking to be confirmed. The full balance is required if the booking is made within two months of the departure date. Once payment is received, we will issue a confirmation email and a contract will exist between us at that date. Payment of the balance is due two months before the departure date. If any payment is not made on or before the due date, we may treat your booking as cancelled. In order for us to confirm your reservation, you must provide all requested details on the Tour Reservation Form. Necessary details include full name, active email, selected tour and dates, name, gender and age of all people included in reservation, height and weight of everyone, and any pre-existing conditions which may affect anyone’s ability to participate in the tour.
2) CANCELLATION BY FLORIDA OUTDOOR ADVENTURES:
We may cancel any tour at any time for any reason up to two months before departure. We may cancel any tour at any time prior to departure if external events outside our control such as public health emergency, travel restrictions, government shutdown, natural disaster, national park closure, campsite limitations, guide illness or injury, equipment loss, unsafe weather conditions, etc make it not viable for us to operate the trip. No refunds will be issued in any circumstances. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking, including but not limited to lodging and transportation. You are strongly advised to take out personal travel insurance at the time of booking which will cover non-refundable payments. Because we operate under national park commercial use authorization regulations, this cancellation policy is firm in all situations.
3) CANCELLATION BY CLIENT
We require a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person to confirm your reservation. The balance is due two months prior to departure. Cancellation for any reason at any time prior to departure is not eligible for refund of any payments submitted. If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure or leave prior to completion, no refund will be made for unused services. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written notice. This no refund policy is firm in all situations. Please do not make a reservation until you’re certain you will be able to participate in the tour. The campsites have very strict limitations and we can not hold places that may not be used and turn away other visitors who wish to book a tour. You are strongly advised to take out personal travel insurance which will cover your non-refundable payments if the unforeseen does occur.
4) MINIMUM AGE
The minimum age is 10 years old on the departure date. All minor children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The parent/legal guardian is responsible for the minor’s day-to-day care. Each minor child is required to paddle in a tandem kayak with one adult guardian. This means all family bookings with minor children must have one adult participant for each child.
5) MAXIMUM AGE
For safety reasons, the maximum age is 72 years old on the departure date. This is necessary because these are very physically demanding sea kayak tours in the remote backcountry. All participants must be able to climb in and out of a confining sit-inside sea kayak seat from ground level without assistance. This can be impossible for seniors. These tours also operate in remote backcountry areas where quick evacuation may not be possible during a medical emergency. We are not medical experts, it is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice concerning active adventure travel in remote areas. If you suffer personal injury or death, we have no liability for any cost/loss/damage, nor will we refund any unused portion of your travel arrangements.
6) PHYSICAL FITNESS
These kayak tours are active outdoor adventure trips in the remote backcountry. We use sit-inside touring kayaks that have narrow and confining seats with a maximum 220 pound person capacity. Each tour participant must have the strength and flexibility to climb in and out of the kayak seat at ground level without assistance. In addition high winds, large waves and strong currents can sometimes make paddling difficult. Each participant must have the physical strength necessary to move and control their kayak in difficult conditions. Each adult guardian on the family tours must also have the strength to paddle a double kayak by themselves with little assistance from their minor child in the front seat.
7) INCLUSIONS
A variety of paddle routes as described in the Trip Details. Wildlife viewing opportunities as described in the Trip Details. Professional guide services and quality leadership of your experienced kayak guide. All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last. Camping accommodation in shared 2-person tents. Single or double sit-inside sea kayaks, including all kayaking and safety equipment. All necessary camping gear. All required national park camping fees and permits.
8) EXCLUSIONS
The price of your trip does not include: transportation to/from your home to Everglades City, pre and post tour accommodation, pre and post tour meals, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal travel/trip insurance, guide gratuities, and personal items listed in the Packing List.
9) TRAVEL INSURANCE
Personal travel/trip insurance which offers comprehensive coverage and peace of mind is strongly recommended for all tour participants. These policies are designed to protect you in case of lost/damaged luggage, flight cancellation/delay, medical expenses, emergency evacuation costs, trip cancellation and other covered situations. If you must cancel your trip for any covered reason (illness, injury, family emergency, etc) the policy should reimburse you. Short term policies of this sort are relatively inexpensive and routinely issued by most travel and insurance agencies (available online).
10) DISCLAIMER
Regardless of the precision of our preparations and fervency of our desires, things don’t always go exactly as planned. National park permit restrictions, campsite limitations, participant’s skill levels, hurricanes, other adverse weather conditions, water levels, tidal currents, winds, waves and other factors subject to and beyond our control mean that David Kochendorfer (dba Florida Outdoor Adventures) cannot absolutely guarantee the advertised itinerary will be precisely followed. Sometimes alternate campsites must be used, the direction of travel reversed or specific routes altered. While reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for changes. Although infrequent it is also sometimes necessary for us to cancel a trip. Under no circumstances will a refund in whole or part be issued due to a cancellation or any itinerary changes. We also cannot be held responsible for any resulting expenses (lodging, transportation, etc) incurred by the clients. If something unforeseen does occur, we ask for your patience and understanding as we do our best to deal with the conditions. All final decisions are ultimately the responsibility of the guide.
11) ASSUMPTION OF RISK
While safety is our constant concern, all clients are at all times participating solely at their own risk. Active/remote adventure tours such as this and sea kayaking itself contain inherent risks. Your participation in the trip signals your explicit acknowledgment and acceptance of these risks and your own personal responsibility for the safety and well being of yourself, your minor children, and your personal property.
12) WAIVER OF LIABILITY
Neither David Kochendorfer (dba Florida Outdoor Adventures) or any entities acting in any capacity on his behalf will be liable under any circumstances for any personal injury/illness/accidental death or loss/theft/damage to any personal property. It is the responsibility of all clients to obtain, read and sign a copy of the Liability Waiver form before the start of the tour. Your payment of the tour price constitutes your legal acceptance of these terms. A comprehensive personal travel/trip insurance policy is strongly recommended.
13) SEVERABILITY
In the event that any term or condition contained in this contract is unenforceable, void by law, or against public policy, then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this contract or amended only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.
14) COMPLAINTS AND CLAIMS
If you have a complaint about your trip please inform your guide immediately in order that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If satisfaction is not reached through these means then any further complaint should be put in writing to David Kochendorfer within seven days of the end of the tour.
15) PHOTOGRAPHY/WRITTEN COMMUNICATION RELEASE
By participating in this tour, you are agreeing to allow the use of your photographed/videotaped image or written communications to appear on our website, Facebook page, email marketing, print literature, or any other type of advertising or promotion without notification or compensation.
16) PRIVACY POLICY
Any personal information that we collect about you may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of the tour or future marketing. This information may be disclosed to others.
17) UPDATING TERMS & CONDITIONS
David Kochendorfer (dba Florida Outdoor Adventures) reserves the right to update and/or alter these terms and conditions at anytime, and it is the client’s responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions will supersede any previous versions.