General Terms & Conditions of Hightide Kayak School GmbH

These General Terms & Conditions (GTC) govern the contractual relationship between Hightide Kayak School GmbH (hereinafter "Hightide") and its customers (hereinafter "participants" or "you").

1. Bookings

1.1 General Booking Conditions

  • Customers can book directly with Hightide or through an authorised sales agent.
  • By booking, you accept these GTC as part of the contract between you and Hightide.
  • Unless otherwise stated, prices on the website are per person and include the required equipment and guiding for the tour or course.
  • The meeting point is communicated separately for each tour or course.
  • Some tours and courses operate only if a minimum number of participants is reached.
  • All tours and courses have limited capacity. Some require a good level of physical fitness.
  • Participants under 18 need the express permission of their parent or legal guardian, who must be aware of and acknowledge the risks associated with adventure activities.
  • The contract between you and Hightide is only finally concluded after we have checked whether you meet the participation requirements.

1.2 Verification of Participation Requirements

If, after reviewing the information you have provided, we conclude that you do not meet the participation requirements or that health concerns could affect the safe conduct of the booked programme, we may refuse participation and, where appropriate, suggest an alternative. You are not obliged to accept that alternative. If no suitable or mutually acceptable programme can be found, the booking is considered void and no booking or cancellation fee is due.

1.3 No Package Travel

Hightide does not offer package travel and is not a travel organiser within the meaning of the Swiss Package Travel Act.

Hightide offers its own kayak tours and courses and may also act as an intermediary for activities provided by independent third parties. When acting as an intermediary for such activities, Hightide is not itself the activity operator (see Section 12.1).

"No Package Travel" means in particular:

  • Scope of the programme: Our own services are limited to those specified and published in the respective programme description and to the stated service periods. A programme may last one or more days, but our services cover only the advertised activities on or by the water or at the course location during the stated programme days and course times.
  • Accommodation: Hightide is not responsible for your accommodation. You arrange it yourself. We have no control over its quality and accept no responsibility for it. At campsites, participants pay for their chosen accommodation (tent, camper, bungalow, etc.) directly to the campsite operator. Where the group jointly rents holiday accommodation, costs are settled within the group.
  • Transport: Hightide is not a passenger transport company. Travel to and from the programme, as well as any local transfers ("shuttles"), are the responsibility of participants and are not services provided by Hightide.
  • Meals: Participants are generally responsible for their own meals. They may choose to organise joint purchases through a group fund and cook together, but are not obliged to do so. Hightide employees may participate privately and outside working hours. This does not make Hightide responsible for kitchen duties.
  • Duration of services: A tour or course begins and ends at the water with the preparation or clearing away of boats and equipment, or following the completion of an instructional session on land. This applies to multi-day programmes too. After the programme and equipment clearing or transport, the guides' duties end.

1.4 Prices

The prices and conditions communicated in the respective offer or programme description apply.

2. Payment Conditions

Full payment is required to confirm your place on tours and courses.

3. Cancellation by the Customer

Cancellation by customers must be made in writing. Cancellation charges are calculated based on when the cancellation notice is received by the booking office. The percentages below refer to the total price of the relevant booking. We recommend purchasing cancellation insurance when booking.

3.1 Guided Kayak and SUP Tours and Family Kayak Tours

Groups of fewer than 10 people

  • More than 96 hours before the start: free cancellation.
  • From 96 hours until more than 24 hours before the start: 50% cancellation fee.
  • 24 hours or less before the start, including no-shows: 100% cancellation fee.

Groups of 10 or more people

Cancellations made more than 30 days before the activity, or cancellations affecting no more than 10% of the originally confirmed number of participants, may be made free of charge.

For cancellations affecting more than 10% of the originally confirmed number of participants, the following charges apply:

  • 30 to 15 days before the activity: 25% of the booked services.
  • 14 to 10 days before the activity: 50% of the booked services.
  • 9 days or less before the activity: 100% of the booked services.

3.2 Courses and Coaching in Switzerland

  • More than 7 days before the start of the activity: CHF 50 administration fee.
  • From 7 days to and including 24 hours before the start of the activity: 50% cancellation fee.
  • Less than 24 hours before the start of the activity, or in case of a no-show: 100% cancellation fee.

3.3 Courses, Coaching and Tours Abroad

  • Up to 180 days before the start: 100% refund of the fees.
  • 179 to 90 days before the start: 75% refund of the fees.
  • 89 to 60 days before the start: 50% refund of the fees.
  • From 59 days before the start: no refund.

3.4 No-shows, Late Arrivals or Early Departures

No-shows, late arrivals or early departures from the programme do not entitle participants to a price reduction or refund. This also applies if you miss part of a multi-day programme, for example because you become ill or temporarily unwell during a tour or course.

4. Cancellation by the Organiser

4.1 Minimum Number of Participants

All activities are subject to a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, we will offer an alternative date where possible or a full refund.

4.2 Cancellation Before the Start of the Activity

Cancellation caused by participants: Hightide may cancel an activity if participants' actions or omissions provide justified grounds for doing so. In that case, the cancellation provisions in Section 3 apply.

Cancellation due to weather, safety or other circumstances: If weather and natural conditions, official measures, force majeure, safety concerns or other circumstances significantly hinder, endanger or prevent the activity, Hightide may cancel it. In that case, the price paid will be refunded or an alternative date offered. Hightide will endeavour to notify participants as quickly as possible and make every effort to run the activity where feasible.

5. Programme and Price Changes Before Conclusion of the Contract

Programme and price changes are reserved. Changes will be communicated at the time of booking.

6. Programme Changes After Conclusion of the Contract or Discontinuation of the Activity

Hightide reserves the right to change or discontinue the programme after conclusion of the contract, including during the activity, if weather and natural conditions, official measures, force majeure, safety or other reasons make this necessary, without giving rise to a right to a refund. If you nevertheless decide to go onto the water alone or with other participants, this is a private activity for which Hightide accepts no responsibility (see also Section 12.3).

7. Discontinuation of the Activity by the Customer

If participants discontinue an activity or leave early, no refund will be issued. Any additional costs are their responsibility.

Replacement participants: To avoid cancellation charges when cancelling before a programme begins, you may propose a qualified replacement participant up to 7 days before the start. The replacement must meet the participation requirements for the programme. Hightide is not obliged to accept the proposed replacement.

8. Participant Obligations and Participation Conditions

8.1 Health

Good health is a prerequisite for all activities. Participants must inform Hightide of any health problems. Participation under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances that impair safe participation is prohibited.

8.2 Safety Regulations

Participants must meet the participation requirements and strictly follow instructions issued by Hightide and the responsible guides. Participants who do not meet the requirements or follow instructions may be excluded from the activity. If exclusion occurs before the start, the cancellation conditions under Section 3 apply. After the activity has begun, no refund is provided.

8.3 Safety Equipment

Personal safety equipment must be fit for purpose and in adequate condition. Where necessary, suitable equipment may be rented from Hightide.

Certain programmes may have specific minimum equipment requirements, such as wearing a wetsuit or drysuit. These are communicated before the programme. The guide team or trip leader may adjust the requirements on site in response to prevailing conditions and in accordance with Hightide's internal safety regulations.

The trip leader may exclude individual participants or discontinue a programme if a participant or the group is inadequately equipped for the conditions encountered and this creates, or is likely to create, a safety risk.

8.4 Care of Equipment

Participants must take proper care of all equipment provided. Allowing for normal wear and tear, Hightide reserves the right to charge for damage, loss or misuse of equipment.

Damage to personal equipment and belongings: Participants use their own equipment at their own risk. Hightide accepts no liability for damage to that equipment or for theft or loss of personal property before, during or after a Hightide-led programme, even if the property was in a Hightide vehicle. This also applies to damage to or loss of personal equipment (kayaks, paddles, gear, luggage, etc.) during transport to the activity location or to the water. In particular, liability is excluded for damage to mobile phones, cameras, car keys and other electronic items taken onto the water.

9. Insurance

Participants are not personally insured by Hightide. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have adequate health and accident insurance, including coverage for sporting accidents. Hightide does not verify participants' insurance coverage. We also recommend taking out cancellation insurance.

10. Photos and Videos

During our tours and courses, photos and videos may be taken and made available to participants as part of our free guest photo and video service.

Hightide may also publish selected images, particularly group and activity photos, on its website, social media channels and in promotional or informational materials.

Participants may object to being photographed or to the publication of their images by informing their guide or contacting info@hightide.ch. Such objections will be respected.

Where additional consent is legally required for publication, particularly for individual portraits or images of minors, it will be obtained beforehand.

Further information is available in our Privacy Policy.

11. Complaints

Complaints may initially be directed to the responsible staff on site or to management. We will endeavour to resolve problems as quickly as possible.

If a complaint cannot be resolved satisfactorily, it may be submitted in writing within 28 days of the activity to Hightide Kayak School GmbH, Am Quai 1, 3806 Bönigen, Switzerland.

12. Liability

12.1 Third-party Activities

In addition to its own activities, Hightide may arrange services provided by independent third-party operators, such as paragliding flights.

Where Hightide expressly acts as an intermediary and the third-party provider is identified as the contractual partner, the contract for performing the activity is between the participant and that provider.

The third-party provider is responsible for conducting its activities. Hightide remains liable for its own obligations relating to the booking and intermediary services under applicable law.

12.2 Search and Rescue Insurance

All costs incurred in the event of a sea rescue, search and rescue operation, medical emergency or accident, including treatment and hospital costs and the cost of repatriation to your home country, are borne by you, even if the operation was initiated by Hightide or its guides or later proves not to have been strictly necessary. We strongly recommend taking out rescue and recovery costs insurance that includes search and rescue operations at sea.

12.3 Private Activities Outside the Tour/Course Programme

Hightide disclaims liability for private activities outside the programme it conducts as advertised. This includes injury to yourself, harm to others and damage to property, particularly in connection with:

  • swimming, private paddling and other private water activities before, after or outside a Hightide-led programme, including during a lunch break;
  • private land activities such as excursions, climbing, mountaineering, hiking or cycling;
  • private transport to or from the water by car, bicycle, public transport or on foot;
  • making fires, cooking, preparing food, setting up tents, visiting restaurants and other private activities before or after a Hightide-led programme;
  • harm such as allergies or food poisoning arising from jointly prepared meals before, during or after a Hightide programme.

12.4 Limitations of Liability

In particular, Hightide is not liable for damage caused by acts or omissions of activity leaders outside the performance of contractually agreed services; acts of third parties, other participants or the affected participant (particularly in relation to Section 8); force majeure, natural events, official orders or late return home. If participants fail to follow instructions from Hightide or the responsible activity leader, Hightide's liability ceases.

12.5 Non-contractual Liability

Non-contractual liability is governed by applicable law. Where these GTC provide for stricter liability requirements, limitations of liability or exclusions of liability, those provisions apply.

13. Governing Law and Place of Jurisdiction

Swiss law applies. The place of jurisdiction is Interlaken.

14. Final Provisions – Severability

If any provision of these GTC is or becomes invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions is unaffected. The invalid provision will be replaced by a valid provision that comes as close as possible to its intended purpose. The same applies to any gaps.

15. Amendments

Hightide reserves the right to amend these GTC at any time. The version applicable when the contract was concluded governs that contract.

Last Updated: 06.11.2026
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