Terms & Conditions

1. Who we are

These terms are between you and The Challenger (Pty) Ltd, registration no. 2019/092803/07, trading as The Challenger, of 13 Viola Road, Blouberg, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa (“we”, “us”). Contact: ralph@thechallenger.co.za, WhatsApp +27 82 952 6078.

By booking a lesson, downwinder or equipment rental through thechallenger.co.za, WhatsApp or email, you accept these terms, our Cancellations & Refunds policy and our Privacy Policy.

2. Services and prices

We offer kitesurfing instruction (IKO certified), guided downwinder sessions and beach volleyball equipment rental with optional extras. Prices are shown in South African Rand on the relevant page and again on the booking summary before you pay. The price at the time you confirm the booking is the price that applies. We are not registered for VAT and no VAT is charged.

Group lessons run with the number of participants shown on the booking. Private lessons are one-to-one. Session lengths are as stated on the booking; time lost because a participant arrives late cannot be made up.

3. Booking and payment

• Online payments are processed by Paystack by card or instant EFT. We never see or store your card details.
• Volleyball rentals require a 50% deposit to confirm the booking. Full payment is due the day before the event.
• Kitesurfing bookings within 7 days of the session are paid online, in full or as a 50% deposit with the balance due on the day.
• Kitesurfing bookings more than 7 days ahead may be confirmed without payment and paid on the day, in cash or by EFT.
• A booking is confirmed when you receive the confirmation email. Paid bookings include a PDF invoice from The Challenger (Pty) Ltd.
• An unpaid booking started online holds its time slot for 15 minutes. If payment is not completed in that time, the slot is released.

4. Cancellations, weather and refunds

Kitesurfing is wind-dependent and we will call a session off if conditions are unsafe or unsuitable. What happens to your money when we cancel, when you cancel, and for no-shows is set out in the Cancellations & Refunds policy, which forms part of these terms.

5. Safety and your responsibilities

• Kitesurfing is an adventure sport with inherent risks, including injury. You take part at your own risk and must follow the instructor’s instructions at all times.
• Participants must be at least 12 years old (under 18s need a parent or guardian’s consent), able to swim at least 100 metres, and in reasonable physical health. Tell us in advance about any medical condition, injury or medication that could affect you in the water.
• Do not take part under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We may refuse or stop a session for safety reasons, and no refund is due where the reason is your conduct.
• You are responsible for lesson equipment while it is in your care and for rental equipment from hand-over until collection. Damage beyond normal wear or loss is charged at replacement cost, agreed with you before any charge is made.
• Downwinders are for riders who can already ride upwind confidently. We may ask about your experience before confirming.

6. Liability

Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited under South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2008. Subject to that, we are not liable for loss or injury caused by your failure to follow instructions, by conditions you did not disclose to us, or by events outside our reasonable control such as weather, beach closures or third-party services. Our liability for any booking is limited to the amount you paid for it.

7. Photos and video

We sometimes take photos or video during sessions for our social media and website. Tell us before the session if you would rather not appear, and we will respect that.

8. Personal information

We collect only what a booking needs and handle it as described in our Privacy Policy.

9. General

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. If any part of them is found unenforceable, the rest still applies. We may update these terms; the version on this page at the time you book is the one that applies to that booking.