Groups

HOAC offers an extensive range of activities for groups.  Schools, Colleges, Universities, Scouts, Guides, Youth Clubs,  Cadets and Businesses are just a few who regularly visit us for memorable and educational experiences. We are now bringing activities to your venue or for scouting and guiding groups operating from Rickmansworth Sailing Club.

We hope that you are now in a position to make a booking. To avoid disappointment, we would advise early booking. To help us with the procedure we will require the following information from you:

• Date/s and session times for your visit.
• Group numbers – How many are you looking have activities for?
• Aims and objectives of the visit – Age of group & choice of activities?
• 10m Swimming ability – are there any non-swimmers in the group?

Make a booking enquiry.

Is HOAC an accredited Centre?

All our activities are operated to the highest safety standards and conform to UK National Governing Bodies’ codes of practice where applicable.  HOAC is licensed by The Adventure Activity Licensing Authority  (AALA)

Are your staff CRB/DBS Checked?

Yes, all HOAC Instructional and Office Staff are checked.

What qualifications do your staff have?

All our Instructors are qualified to the required level by the appropriate National Governing Bodies and/or a comprehensive  in-house training course.

Do the activities link to the national curriculum?

Our activities satisfy several requirements of National Curriculum at key stages 2, 3, 4 and A Level, including personal, social and health education, citizenship and physical education.

Do you cater for special needs groups?

Yes, we have many years of experience working with a wide range of special needs.  All we ask is that we are made aware of the groups/individual needs at the initial enquiry stage, to ensure the activities are appropriate to their needs and the correct number of Instructors are available so that we can provide a positive and safe experience.

Do you have Insurance?

HOAC has Public & Employee Liability Insurance with Activities Industry Mutual Insurance(A.I.M) up to £10 million.  we do not hold insurance for personal accident or possessions, and therefore advise that this is taken out if required and valuables are not brought to the Centre.

Do you have Risk Assessments?

Yes, all our risk assessments can be found on our website and a copy is sent out in the Leader Pack when a booking is made.

Can amendments be made to the booking?

Yes, depending on the amendment and if made before the return of the signed confirmation.  Please note that once the booking has been confirmed it is non-transferable.  However minor changes may be possible.  An additional cost may be incurred.

What happens if I need to cancel the booking after it has been confirmed?

If you wish to cancel your booking the following charges are applicable.  Up to 10 weeks  of the visit 25% or the thtat cost, withing 10 weeks of the visit 50% of the total cost and within 8 weeks of the visit full costs are payable.

What if I need to increase the numbers attending?

The Booking Co-ordinator must contact the centre at the earliest possible opportunity prior to the activity visit.  While we will do our best to accommodate any changes, this may not always be possible. Additional Instructors will be charged at the current rate.  If we arrive at your site and are not aware of additional numbers we cannot guarantee everyone will be able to take part in the activities.

What if I need to decrease the numbers attending?

Decreasing numbers once a booking has been confirmed is not usually possible. However in extenuating circumstances HOAC will do its best to accommodate late changes where possible. If you do have a drastic reduction in numbers please contact the centre as soon as possible.

Who is responsible for the groups during the activities?

As the Leader you take complete responsibility for the group except when they are under the supervision of an instructor.  Leaders must remain on site for the duration of the visit.  During activities the instructor will manage class behaviour and the safety of the group.

What happens when the instructors arrives at the school?

Instructors will arrive on site early to set up their activities before meeting you and the group to commence activities. If they haven't received it before the day they will then need a completed Group Registration Form. At the end of the day the instructors will need time to pack-up before they depart the site.

How do we know if our school site is suitable for activities?

We will complete a Venue Check List before confirming a booking which may require a free site visit, to ensure we can operate safely. If any changes happen onsite between booking and the activity date please let us know as soon as possible. If we attend site on the date of the activity and there have been changes to our operating area we may not be able to run our activities and cancellation charges may be applicable.

Groups price list PDF download

Groups Watersports at Rickmansworth Sailing Club Price List

Scouting and Guiding Watersports Price List

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1 Booking Confirmation

Bookings can only be made by those aged 18 or above.
Bookings are only classed as confirmed when the signed confirmation has been received along with 25% deposit at the Centre before the date on the form.

2 Booking Amendments

Confirmed bookings are not transferable. If amendments are possible an additional cost is liable. Late arrival/change of activity times on the day of visit - whilst HOAC will make every effort to complete the scheduled activity, this may not always be possible. HOAC reserves the right to amend the scheduled activities if necessary. Any changes will be advised as soon as possible.

3 Cancellation

Should you wish to cancel after your booking has been confirmed the following charges apply:-
a.      The deposit of 25% is nonrefundable
b.      Within ten weeks of the start date 50% of the amount stated on the Booking Confirmation
c.       Within eight weeks of the start date full costs.
Please note all cancellations must be in writing.
Cancellation by HOAC - Should your booking be cancelled any time before the day of your visit, HOAC are not liable for any compensation or costs incurred due to the cancellation of the visit.

4 Surcharges

All half day bookings will incur a10% surcharge. This is not applicable to evenings and weekends. A surcharge of 10% up to a maximum of £200.00 will be made for all booking confirmations received at the centre after the due date.

5 Medical Conditions/Special Needs

Details of all minor medical conditions/additional or special needs including educational (e.g. asthma, allergies, adhd) of all participants must be detailed on HOAC's group registration form. The centre must be informed of all other medical conditions and/or behavioural issues at the time of booking.

6 Responsibility

The Group Leader and all other Leaders must be aged 18 or older and take complete responsibility for their group including safety, behaviour and compliance with all site rules and booking terms and conditions FOR THE ENTIRE VISIT If HOAC Instructors are running the programmed activities they assume responsibility for SAFETY of the group during the session. A minimum of two responsible adults must remain on site for the duration of the visit.

7 Insurance

The Centre has third party and public liability insurance cover with Activities Industry Mutual and accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property or for personal injury not arising as a result of its own act or default. Accidents can happen without any contributory negligence from the Centre or it's staff. Leaders are advised to take out third party liability cover for themselves and to consider personal accident insurance for their group prior to any activity. Statutory groups such as schools, will normally have their own insurance cover automatically, other should take professional advice. It is also advisable to insure against the risk of cancellation. Participants (including juniors) are advised that they participate in the activities at their own risk.

8 Day of Visit

A minimum of 2 adult leaders must remain on site for the duration of the visit. The group leader must ensure that the HOAC group registration form is completed giving full name, any medical or special needs. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that all the information on the front cover is correct and any absences are noted on the group lists. This information is used for billing purposes and discrepancies by the group leader cannot be amended after the invoice has been issued. Emergency contact details must be kept by the group leader and be accessible at all times during the visit.

9 Safety

The minimum age for specific land activities is 8 with the exception of First Aid and Soft Archery where participants must be 5 or above. Suitable footwear must be worn at all times. Activities will go ahead regardless of weather unless HOAC deem it to be unsafe. An alternative activity will be substituted. HOAC reserves the right to cancel/curtail any activity if safety is compromised in any way.

10 Publicity

Photographs taken by HOAC staff will only be used for HOAC publicity purposes, and will not be passed to third parties. We will only take pictures of children if this has been pre-arranged with you.

11 Payment

Payment is by invoice after the event. The full amount owing must be settled within 30 days of the date on the invoice. Where past invoices have beenoverdue HOAC reserves the right for full payment in advance. Please ensure that the correct number of participants is noted on the group registration form as amendments cannot be made once the invoice has been issued. Ongoing programmes over mulitple weeks will be invoiced to be paid on a monthly basis.

12 School Site

We will complete a Venue Check List before confirming a booking which may require a free site visit, to ensure we can operate safely.
If any changes happen onsite between booking and the activity date please let us know as soon as possible. If we attend site on the date of the activity and there have been changes to our operating area we may not be able to run our activities and cancellation charges may be applicable.

AALA Certificate

Insurance Certificate

Group Leaders Feedback

Group Registration Form Excel

Group Registration Sign in form

Group Registration Group Lists

Risk Assessments