Terms & Conditions

The small print you need to read before hiring a canoe with Celtic Canoes.

Welcome to Celtic Canoes! We are excited to provide you with an unforgettable canoeing experience on the beautiful River Wye. Before you make your booking, we kindly request that you carefully review and understand the following terms and conditions. These terms outline important information about participant responsibilities, safety guidelines, booking procedures, cancellations, and more. We prioritize your safety and satisfaction, and by familiarizing yourself with these terms, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable adventure with Celtic Canoes. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you for choosing Celtic Canoes, and we look forward to creating lasting memories with you on the river!

The person booking the activity is the designated party leader and is responsible for ensuring that each member of the party is fully aware of the risk when participating in the canoeing activity. Each member of the party must be must be aware that they participate at their own risk. In addition, everyone must be aware of the health and safety issues involved.

Risks

Canoeing requires significant physical effort and capsizes, boat entrapment and personal injury cannot be excluded. Air temperature, wind speed and water temperature are all uncontrollable variables which can increase risk.

Anyone with a medical history must disclose to us any medical conditions from which they suffer in respect of asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Anyone that is pregnant or epileptic cannot participate.

All participants carried in any canoe that forms part of the booking who are affected by a physical, behavioural or mental condition or illness (this includes but is not limited to: pregnancy, loss of limb, immobility, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, allergy, epilepsy) must seek medical advice and inform us in writing using our medical declaration form of the condition or illness and any advice given prior to the trip.

All participants carried in any canoe that forms part of the booking who have an impairment of sight or hearing likely to affect safety must seek expert advice and inform us in writing using our medical declaration form including any advice given prior to the trip.

A canoe must have at least 2 people in it. We do not hire to solo paddlers. The maximum number of occupants is 3 – which could be 2 adults with 1 child. The maximum number of adults is 3 (with no children). There is a weight limit to each craft of 40 stone.

We do not allow children under 10 to participate in the activity, unless there is special circumstances.

Any person aged between 10 and 17 years must be supervised by an adult on a ratio of 1:1. An adult is a person aged 18 and over.

In all group trips there must be at least 2 persons over 18, unless conditions allow otherwise.

You shall keep the Goods in your possession under your control at all times and use the Goods only within the area of, and for the purposes of your trip as previously agreed with us.

Listen to and adhere to the safety brief given prior to your launch.

No wild camping, any customers on camping expeditions will be asked to confirm accommodation before booking your canoes.

  • You are responsible for losses of, or damage to, the Goods caused by your own fault and indemnify us appropriately.

  • We accept no responsibility for consequential loss or damage howsoever arising from the letting evidenced by this agreement unless it arises from our negligent act or default.

  • Should you commit any breach of this agreement we may terminate the agreement and you will no longer be in possession of the Goods with our consent.

  • We shall accept your order by e-mail confirmation. That is when our contract is made. Our return message will also confirm details of your booking. Full payment is required to secure your booking.

    Unfortunately, due on occasion to circumstance beyond our control, we cannot guarantee that the services that you have booked can be undertaken. If at any time we are unable to deliver the services contained in your booking for which you have paid, we will cancel the booking and immediately refund any money you have paid. We will use the same payment method used to receive any payments for any repayment.

  • We reserve the right to change our pricing structure at any time at our discretion as part of our provision of services within our online booking service.

  • We have the right to cancel or re-schedule bookings at our discretion at any time. Specifically, if adverse weather or water conditions are in force on the day of your booking. In these circumstances we will offer to re-schedule your booking at no additional costs if our system allows.

  • If you cancel your booking, we reserve the right to charge you according to the notice you have given us.

    Less than 14 days notice – all money paid is forfeited

    15-30 days or more prior to booking – 50% refund

    30+ days prior to booking – we offer a full refund

    All re-scheduled bookings have to be made in the same season and cannot be moved forward to the following season.

  • You have the right to terminate this agreement at any time. However, unless agreed otherwise, we are entitled to keep any payment previously made if needed to cover both any net costs to us of your termination, particularly with regard to the collection of the goods, and/or the net loss of profit resulting directly from your termination.

  • Celtic Canoes will not be liable for any death, personal injury, or loss of, or damage to, goods arising out of the hire of any items by them unless that death, personal injury or loss of, or damage to, the goods arises directly from an act of omission on the part of the company, it’s servant or agent.

Mobile Phone Coverage

Please be aware that mobile phone coverage on the river is intermittent for a lot of the major networks.

What to wear and spare equipment

Loose lightweight clothing. Footwear – trainers, aqua boots or full sandals. Do not wear wellington boots, flip flops or jeans. Please be aware when the sun is out it will reflect off the water making it very hot, so please dress accordingly to minimise risk of heat stroke and sunburn. Also weather conditions can change very quickly on your journey, bring additional warm layers. We always recommend that you bring a full change of clothes in case you get wet.

Do bring

  • A mobile phone – we require at least 1 mobile phone per boat whilst out on the river.

  • Fluids, snacks or picnic, especially if you are not planning to stop off at a pub en-route.

  • High factor sunscreen is highly recommended.

Do not bring

  • We operate a zero tolerance to alcohol and drugs. Alcohol should not be consumed prior to or on your trip. Anyone found under the influence of alcohol or any other substances will not be permitted to hire or participate in the event and all monies will be lost. We do not allow alcohol to be taken on your trip and reserve the right to confiscate it until your return.

  • Speakers, leave them at home. We will not allow any customers to have speakers playing music on the river.

  • Expensive jewellery. Watches, cameras, video cameras ETC if not waterproof. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any of your effects.

Rubbish

As per the countryside code please protect the countryside and wildlife by not leaving rubbish on the river banks or by dropping it in the river. Bring it back with you and we will dispose of it for you.

Wildlife

No person will disturb any wildlife, wildfowl or livestock. No trespassing on land adjacent to the river is permitted. Clear guidance will be given regarding appropriate places to land canoes and these instructions must be adhered to.

Problems

Our most important task is to ensure your absolute satisfaction and we will always strive to reach that target.  However, we acknowledge that mistakes are made occasionally. If you are not wholly satisfied with your experience with us, please tell us at the earliest opportunity.

Please clearly tell us the date of your trip, the exact problems you have experienced and when these problems occurred. Please tell us the consequences of these problems and what you would like us to do to address these issues and restore your faith in us.

Please email us with your comments.

Should a dispute arise out of or in connection with these terms or any contract between you and us, then you agree to attempt to settle the dispute by engaging in good faith with us in a process of mediation before commencing arbitration or litigation.