Ocean Safety Waiver

NOTICE TO OCEAN PARTICIPANTS TO PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK 

1. Your participation in any ocean paddling, paddling events or training sessions (each “an Event”) officially or unofficially conducted, sponsored or endorsed by Sydney Harbour Surf Club is at your own risk.

2. You must be a competent paddler and swimmer, in reasonable health and fitness and can swim to shore from out at sea to participate in any Event conducted by Sydney Harbour Surf Club. Any person suffering from any medical condition must consult his/her medical adviser and follow such advice regarding participating in any Event.  Any person under the influence of or affected by alcohol, drugs, medication or other substances must not participate in any Event.

3. Open water paddling can be a dangerous recreational activity. Each such activity has obvious risks and particular risks of harm, including but not limited to:

• Drowning, hypothermia or sunburn;
• Shark attack or injury from other dangerous marine life;
• You may be allergic to stingers, bluebottles, etc;
• Polluted or contaminated water can cause sickness/infection;
• Heavy seas and dangerous water conditions can cause injury/loss of life;
• Collision or physical contact with other paddlers, buoys, boats or other objects can cause injury;
• You could suffer a heart attack, epileptic fit, collapse, severe cramp, etc;
• Lightning might strike during an Event;
• Submerged rocks or other hidden objects can cause injury;
• Bare feet can be injured whilst launching your boat;
• You could be run down by a power boat, yacht or ferry;
• You could be washed onto rocks or capsized by wave action and hit your head;
• You could be hit by another paddler causing cuts or abrasions.

4. Whilst all participants in Events at their own risk, nevertheless every participant should exercise care and courtesy to avoid accidents, collisions with or injury to other participants. It shall be the sole decision of each participant whether to take part or continue to participate in an Event.

5. Events are intended to be good fun, promote wellbeing and fitness, and comradeship. Participants should enjoy themselves, but not at the expense of other participants. 

6. To participate in any Event, a participant must be eighteen (18) years of age or more and have signed an adult Waiver Form. 

7. Compulsory safety equipment for any open water paddle:

• Suitable high vis PFD (lifejacket)
• Surf Ski leg leash in working order
• Mobile phone in waterproof case
• Safe trx tracking App on phone with tracking link sent to the group at each paddle.
• VHF radio (channel 77)
• EPIRB or location beacon device

 

WAIVER FORM

I, ………………………………………………………………………(full name please) ………………………………………………………………………...(Date)

(“I” known as the “Participant”) wish to participate in one or more open water paddling events or training session (each an “Event”) conducted, sponsored or endorsed (whether officially or unofficially, by Sydney Harbour Surf Club.

I have read and accept the conditions set out in the Notice to Participants and I acknowledge that each Event involves a range of risks (not limited to the risks identified by Sydney Harbour Surf Club, including the risk of serious personal injury to me and that each Event could not be held unless all participants are willing to accept full responsibility for the consequences of these risks.

Therefore, and in consideration of Sydney Harbour Surf Club accepting me as a participant in any such Event, for myself, my heirs, successors, executors and administrators, I hereby:

• acknowledge that my participation in any Event is entirely at my own risk;

• waive, release and discharge Sydney Harbour Surf Club Organisers, Coaches, Management, officials, and all other participants (or any one or more of them and their respective heirs, successors, executors and administrators) (collectively “the Releasees”) from all claims and demands whatsoever, including any claim for loss or damages caused by negligence of any of them arising out of the conduct or otherwise of any Event (including failure to warn of any particular risk), or arising from any act or omission before, during or after an Event, including any claim for reimbursement of any costs or expenses (including, but not limited to, legal, medical, hospital, and rehabilitation expenses) that may be incurred by me or anybody on my behalf (collectively “Claims”);

• agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees and each of them against all Claims that I or anybody on my behalf may make against the Releasees or any of them; and

• accept full responsibility for my personal possessions before, during and after an Event;

• agree that Sydney Harbour Surf Club Management and/or Coaches may publish or use any photographs of me or any member of my family taken at any Event in any of Sydney Harbour Surf Club publications, promotions or records, or in such other manner as Sydney Harbour Surf Club may from time to time decide without my prior approval or consultation with me. 

 

PARTICIPANT’S QUESTIONNAIRE

All information provided is kept private and confidential

Full Name: ________________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact name: ___________________________________________________

Emergency Contact number: __________________________________________________ 

Question Yes No Unsure	YES	NO	UNSURE
Have you ever been diagnosed with any type of heart complication or consulted a doctor for any heart related matter?
Is there a history of heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol or cardiovascular related problems in your family tree?
Do you ever experience chest pains, upper body discomfort, chest tightness or chronic shortness of breath?
Do you have high blood pressure or hypertension?
Have you ever been told that you have an irregular heartbeat or heart arrythmia?
Have you ever had a stroke or been diagnosed with a blood clot?
Lipitor (cholesterol medication) or blood pressure medication?
Do you have high cholesterol or elevated blood triglyceride levels?
Do you have diabetes or any blood sugar complications?
Do you have a thyroid problem?
Do you feel dizzy or experience faintness?
Do you suffer from chronic tiredness or lethargy?
Do you have low blood pressure?
Do you have asthma?
Do you suffer from arthritis?
Are you pregnant or have you given birth in the last 3 months?
Have you recently undergone surgery or any medical procedure? If yes, please provide details.
Do you have any existing injuries? If yes, please provide details.
Do you have any back problems or experience back pain? If yes, please provide details.
Do you have any other medical condition that might affect you while exercising? If yes, please provide details.
Are you currently taking any type of medication? If yes, please provide details.
Are you making use of any type of supplementation or natural therapy? If yes please provide details.