Terms of Service

Last updated: July 2026

Booking conditions for all Gene17 Kayaking trips, courses and adventures

  1. All bookings are made with the limited company Gene17, whose office is 20 Ivybridge, Tavistock Road, Weston-super-Mare BS22 6LP, United Kingdom. The Operator is Gene17 Ltd.
  2. Book your place online through our secure checkout. Trips require a deposit of €450 per person; short courses (1–2 days) are paid in full at the time of booking. After payment you will be asked to complete a short booking-details form (emergency contact and paddling experience) to confirm your place. Unless the trip is full, you will receive confirmation of booking and Trip dossier. All Teaching Trips, Paddling Adventures and Guided Holidays outside Europe require a higher deposit: €1,000 per person on individual bookings, €1,500 per coach/guide on group bookings. Some multi-day Paddling Adventures within Europe also carry a €1,000 deposit; the exact deposit for every trip is always shown on its page and at checkout before you pay.
  3. The final balance should reach Gene17 no later than 30 days (90 days in the case of all non-European destinations) before the trip start date. If the balance is not received by the specified date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and your deposit will be forfeited, unless a delay in your payment has been agreed by Gene17. Bookings accepted after the balance due date can be secured with the appropriate deposit and full payment must then reach us within 7 days of us confirming your booking.
  4. We accept card payment online through our secure payment provider, Stripe, as well as payment by bank transfer or bank deposit. All payments to Gene17.
  5. We do not accept cheques due to rising admin costs.
  6. Notice of cancellation must be given in writing. Should you cancel, the following scale of charges will apply:
    • More than 60 days before the trip starts: loss of deposit
    • Between 31 and 59 days before the trip starts: 60% of total trip cost
    • Less than 30 days before the trip starts: 100% of total trip cost
    For non-European destinations: - More than 90 days before the trip starts: loss of deposit - Less than 90 days before the trip starts: 100% of total trip costSimilar terms are adopted throughout the travel industry and cover the costs of advance payments made by Gene17. Cancellation charges may be covered by your travel insurance provided the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of the policy.
  7. Deposit payments can be made by card through our online checkout. Additional payments for the balance of the trip must be paid via Bank Transfer or Bank Deposit.
  8. If you wish to transfer from one trip to another, an administration charge of €100 will be payable, up to the time that the final balance becomes due. Any transfer after this point will be treated as a cancellation. A transfer request must be notified in writing and will not be actioned until the administration charge has been received. Transfers are not possible from trips which require a larger deposit than €450.
  9. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the planned itinerary, it must be realised that with this type of adventurous activity, changes to the programme will occur from time to time. Gene17 accepts neither responsibility nor liability for any ensuing costs, or the consequences of any such change, however caused.
  10. Circumstances may arise where we are forced to alter dates, trip duration, transport schedules, or hotel accommodation before a trip starts. We will try to inform you of any such changes as soon as we know of them.
  11. On assessing the conditions expected to be encountered on rivers or the abilities of the Trip Members, our Trip Leaders may decide to alter any proposed plan, river objective, river section or activity if they believe that to continue with the published itinerary, or any latterly agreed alternative, would place anyone at undue risk.
  12. Our Trip Leaders will do their utmost to ensure that any problems are solved for the benefit of the team as a whole. Signing the booking form signifies your acceptance of the Trip Leader's authority to make decisions affecting the group or individuals. For instance, the Trip Leader may require an individual or individuals to leave the trip if they believe that a person's health is at risk, if an illegal act is committed, or behaviour may become, or has been, detrimental to the safety, enjoyment or well-being of the group.
  13. A client leaving a trip at any stage, for whatever reason, will not be entitled to any refund unless agreed by Gene17.
  14. We receive regular Travel Advice from the UK Foreign Office (FO). We will not knowingly operate trips in contravention of such advice if it is published before the due start date of a trip.
  15. We will cancel a trip if the FO Advice effectively puts the destination country or significant parts of the country out of bounds such as to make the river destination objective untenable. If the main river destination objective remains achievable in observance of the FO Advice, we will alter the itinerary and the trip will not be cancelled.
  16. If the FO does not issue advice against travel, a disinclination to travel on the basis of a perceived threat or hazard, howsoever formed, will be interpreted as a voluntary cancellation and the standard cancellation charges will apply.
  17. Non-UK Nationals should consult their own government for advice on travel to the destination country and all countries transited en route.
  18. Trip sizes described on this website are target sizes and may be changed at the discretion of Gene17. Similarly, leaders named in trip descriptions may also be changed.
  19. Gene17 reserves the right to cancel any trip which does not receive sufficient bookings to make it financially viable.
  20. Anyone booked onto a trip cancelled by Gene17 will be entitled to a full refund. Anyone on such a trip will be invited to transfer to another trip and no transfer fee will be payable. Should they transfer to another trip, any difference in price will be invoiced or credited accordingly.
  21. Neither Gene17 nor any of its representatives will be responsible for any illness, injury or death sustained on our kayaking trips, nor will they be liable for any uninsured loss of personal property.
  22. Gene17 has no obligation to take you on the river if it is deemed unsafe for either yourself, the group and/or the representatives of Gene17.
  23. If, in spite of the course/trip/adventure description, booking procedure and further communications, you book onto a course/trip/adventure that is upon local assessment by Gene17 deemed to be beyond your paddling experience and abilities, Gene17 will attempt to offer an alternative locally sourced coaching/guiding solution. Such a solution will be presented and offered at an additional cost to yourself. You are not obligated to take up this offer, and likewise Gene17 is not obligated to take you to the planned river section if your ability does not fall within the course/trip/adventure description.
  24. Taking advantage of Gene17's offer to hire a kayak and a paddle (most Teaching Trips and some of the Paddling Adventures), a standard equipment hire agreement is to be made prior to the course/trip/adventure start date. The hire agreement outlines the complete liability of the hiring party for any damage, loss and significant loss in equipment value. By booking you agree to pay for any damages to the kayaks and/or paddles at the local full retail price for replacement, if any damage, loss or significant loss in equipment value has occurred. We therefore advise adequate travel insurance with rental sport equipment coverage.
  25. Gene17 cannot be made liable for the consequences of strikes, industrial action, wars, riots, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions, or other untoward occurrences, whatever they may be.
  26. In the event of civil unrest in a particular region, we undertake to inform our clients of the situation as soon as we have knowledge of it. For all Trips, you are advised to have insurance that covers you for all of the activities to be undertaken, including adequate insurance for white water kayaking with cover for search, helicopter rescue and medical repatriation.
  27. Having made every effort to ensure the correctness of this website, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies.
  28. Prices on this website are based on costs and exchange rates that are reviewed quarterly. Gene17 sincerely hopes that surcharges will not be necessary, but in the unlikely event that they are, you may cancel your booking without penalty if the surcharge amounts to more than 10% of the cost of the Trip.
  29. Gene17's agents and representatives are not entitled to promise refunds for whatever reason, and Gene17 will not be bound by any such promises.
  30. These booking conditions may only be waived in special circumstances, and in writing, by a letter from Gene17.
  31. The terms and conditions of all agreements made with Gene17 shall be subject to, and governed by, English law.
  32. When making your booking it is implied and accepted that you have read and understood all these booking conditions and agree to abide by them.

Package Travel Regulations & Insolvency Protection

Many of our Trips combine coaching, accommodation and shuttle transport. Where the combination meets the definition of a "package" under the UK Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, Gene17 Ltd is the organiser and is responsible for the proper performance of all the travel services included in your package.

Insolvency protection: any payments you make for a package booking are protected against Gene17 Ltd's insolvency. Details of our current financial protection scheme are available on request — please email info@gene17kayaking.com before booking if you would like to see the certificate.

You have a right under the Regulations to transfer your package booking to another person who meets the conditions of the contract. Please notify us in writing at least 7 days before departure and you will be charged an administration fee plus any unavoidable additional cost imposed by suppliers.

If we are unable to provide a significant proportion of the contracted services after departure, we will make suitable alternative arrangements at no extra cost to you. If those are of a lower standard, you will be entitled to a price reduction.

Travel & Activity Insurance — Required

It is a condition of booking that every participant on a Trip, Course or Adventure holds adequate travel insurance with explicit cover for whitewater kayaking, including search, helicopter rescue, medical treatment, and repatriation.

You must provide the name of your insurer and the policy number to your Trip Leader on arrival. Gene17 Ltd reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone unable to demonstrate appropriate cover; no refund will be due in that situation.

We strongly recommend cover that also includes cancellation, baggage and equipment loss / damage, and trip curtailment for medical reasons.

Risk Acknowledgment

Whitewater kayaking is an inherently risky activity. Even with experienced coaches, qualified leaders and current safety equipment, participation carries a real risk of injury, equipment loss, or death. By booking a Trip, Course or Adventure with Gene17 Ltd you confirm that you understand and accept these risks.

You agree to follow all instructions given by Gene17 Trip Leaders and to declare any medical condition, injury, allergy or medication that could affect your safety or that of others. Failure to disclose may result in refusal to participate without refund.

Participants Under 18

Some Courses are suitable for paddlers aged 16 and 17, subject to ability and prior agreement with Gene17 in writing before booking. We do not accept bookings for participants under 16 on any Trip, Course or Adventure.

Any participant aged under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult who is responsible for them throughout the activity, and a parent or legal guardian must sign the Booking Form and any additional consent forms supplied by Gene17 prior to participation.

Complaints

If you have a complaint while on a Trip, please raise it immediately with your Trip Leader so we have the opportunity to resolve it. Any complaint not resolved on the Trip must be made in writing to info@gene17kayaking.com within 28 days of the Trip end date. We will acknowledge your complaint within 14 days and aim to provide a full response within 28 days.

Balance payments by bank transfer

Trip and adventure balances are paid by bank transfer to the account below. Please quote the payment reference from your booking confirmation, plus your name, so we can match your transfer instantly.

Account holder
Gene17 Ltd
Bank
HSBC Bank, 30 High Street, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1JE, United Kingdom

Paying in euros (€)

IBAN
GB18 HBUK 4012 7669 2139 49
BIC / SWIFT
HBUKGB4BT
Sort code
40-12-76
Account no.
69213949

Paying in pounds (£)

IBAN
GB91 MIDL 4047 1821 2955 94
BIC / SWIFT
HBUKGB4162U
Sort code
40-47-18
Account no.
21295594

Please use the account that matches the currency of your booking.

Gene17 Ltd · Registered in England, company no. 05939105 · 20 Ivybridge, Tavistock Road, Weston-super-Mare BS22 6LP, United Kingdom

Questions? Contact us at info@gene17kayaking.com