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Terms & Conditions of Hire

The terms on which GoKayak (Saxon Outdoors Ltd) hires equipment to you.

1. About these terms

1.1  These Terms & Conditions govern the hire of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), bicycles and related equipment (“the Equipment”) from GoKayak, a trading name of Saxon Outdoors Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”), company number 17332077, registered at 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX.

1.2  By placing a booking, paying for a hire, or using the Equipment, you (“the Hirer”) agree to these Terms on behalf of yourself and everyone in your party.

1.3  The contract of hire is between you and Saxon Outdoors Ltd. You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking and enter into this contract.

2. The hire — what you are booking

2.1  Hire is provided on a slot basis. Each booking is for a specified collection point, date and time slot, and a specified return point and time.

2.2  We operate four collection points along the non-tidal River Thames: Datchet, Runnymede, Laleham and Walton-on-Thames. Your booking confirmation states your collection and return points and times.

2.3  Hire begins at the start of your booked slot at your collection point and ends when the Equipment is returned to the agreed return point at or before the booked return time.

2.4  You must arrive in good time for your slot. Late arrival does not extend your hire period, and we cannot guarantee to hold Equipment beyond the start of your slot.

2.5  The Equipment remains the property of Saxon Outdoors Ltd at all times. You are hiring it, not buying it.

2.6  We require the Hirer to present valid photographic ID at collection. We record the Hirer's ID number, which we keep for 90 days and then securely delete, in line with our Privacy Policy. We may refuse hire if valid ID is not provided.

3. Bookings, prices and payment

3.1  Prices are as displayed at the time of booking. Longer hires may qualify for reduced rates as shown at checkout.

3.2  Full payment is required at the time of booking to confirm your hire.

3.3  Your booking is confirmed only once payment has been received and you have received a confirmation from us.

4. Cancellations and refunds

4.1  If you cancel more than 48 hours before the start of your booked slot, you will receive a refund of the hire fee less a cancellation fee of £5.00. This fee covers non-recoverable card processing costs.

4.2  If you cancel within 48 hours of the start of your booked slot, no refund is payable.

4.3  If we cancel a hire because of the weather or unsafe conditions (see clause 6), any refund is at our discretion. We will normally offer credit towards another booking rather than a refund.

4.4  If you accept credit towards another booking, that credit is not refundable. Any booking paid for with credit will not be refunded — if it is affected, we will offer credit again, not a refund.

4.5  We are not able to refund hires on the grounds of a change in weather where conditions remain safe to operate, nor for no-shows or unused portions of a hire.

5. Safety, competence and assumption of risk

5.1  Paddling and cycling on and beside a river carry inherent risks, including capsize, immersion, cold water, collision, drowning, and injury. By hiring, you acknowledge and accept these risks on behalf of yourself and your party.

5.2  You confirm that you and every member of your party are in good health, able to participate safely, and — for water activities — able to swim and are comfortable in water. [Confirm with insurer: minimum swim competence.]

5.3  Buoyancy aids / personal flotation devices are provided and must be worn correctly by all participants on the water at all times.

5.4  You are responsible for assessing your own competence for the conditions on the day. If you are a beginner or unsure, you must tell us before setting off.

5.5  You must follow all safety briefings, signage, and reasonable instructions given by our staff.

5.6  Alcohol and drugs: no one under the influence of alcohol or drugs may use the Equipment. We may refuse hire, or end a hire without refund, where we reasonably believe a participant is impaired.

6. Weather and river conditions

6.1  We monitor conditions on the non-tidal Thames and may cancel, shorten, delay or divert a hire where we consider conditions unsafe (for example high flow, flood conditions, strong wind, or Environment Agency stream warnings).

6.2  Where we cancel for safety, clause 4.3 applies. Your safety takes priority over completing a booked hire.

7. Age and supervision

7.1  The Hirer must be at least 18 years old and is responsible for their whole party, including all minors, at all times.

Watercraft (kayaks and paddleboards)

7.2  Children under 5 years old may not participate in watercraft hire in any capacity.

7.3  Children aged 5 to 12 (inclusive) may participate but must travel in the same craft as an accompanying adult (18 or over). They may not use a craft of their own.

7.4  Participants aged 13 to 17 may use their own craft but must be accompanied on the water by a responsible adult (18 or over), who may be in a separate craft.

Bicycles

7.5  The minimum age to hire and ride a bicycle is 12, as our bicycles are suited to riders aged 12 and above.

7.6  Cyclists aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18 or over).

General

7.7  We may ask for proof of age and may refuse hire where we are not satisfied that a participant meets these requirements.

8. Use of the Equipment

8.1  The Equipment is provided in good, clean working condition. You must inspect it at collection and tell us immediately of any concern.

8.2  You must use the Equipment only for its intended purpose, on the agreed stretch of water or towpath, and within your booked hire period.

8.3  You must not exceed the stated capacity of any craft, and must not carry more people than the craft is designed for.

8.4  You must return the Equipment to the agreed return point, at or before the booked return time, in the same condition as collected (fair wear and tear excepted).

8.5  Fair wear and tear means minor marks and scuffs that do not affect how the Equipment performs. Any damage that affects the Equipment's performance for its intended purpose, such that it requires repair or replacement, is not fair wear and tear.

9. Damage, loss and liability for the Equipment

9.1  You are responsible for the Equipment from collection until return. You must take reasonable care of it.

9.2  If Equipment is lost, stolen while in your care, or damaged beyond fair wear and tear, you may be liable for the reasonable cost of repair or replacement, up to the following amounts:

  • Single kayak — £[replacement cost TBC]
  • Double kayak — £[replacement cost TBC]
  • Triple kayak — £[replacement cost TBC]
  • Stand-up paddleboard — £[replacement cost TBC]
  • Bicycle — £[replacement cost TBC]
  • Buoyancy aid / paddle / accessory — £[replacement cost TBC]

9.3  We do not take a security deposit or card pre-authorisation.

9.4  You must report any accident, damage, loss or theft to us as soon as reasonably possible.

10. Our liability

10.1  Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for anything else that cannot lawfully be excluded.

10.2  Subject to clause 10.1, we are not liable for loss or damage that is not reasonably foreseeable, or for loss of or damage to your personal property brought to the hire. [Solicitor to confirm full wording.]

10.3  You are responsible for your own personal belongings during the hire.

11. Conduct

11.1  You and your party must behave responsibly and considerately towards other river and towpath users, wildlife, and our staff.

11.2  We may end a hire immediately, without refund, where a participant behaves dangerously, unlawfully, or abusively, or breaches these Terms.

12. Privacy

12.1  We handle your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.go-kayak.co.uk. The data controller is Saxon Outdoors Ltd.

13. General

13.1  These Terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.

13.2  If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in force.

13.3  We may update these Terms from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking applies to that hire.

Contact: [email protected] · www.go-kayak.co.uk

Saxon Outdoors Ltd, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX · Company no. 17332077

Last updated: 21st July 2026