Waiver | Rental Agreement | Policies | Planning Your Trip

There are several things you need to be aware of when you rent a boat from us. The rental agreement (below) will ask you to confirm that you have read the following 3 things. They are all important to safety:

– A Guide to Paddling Safety in Alberta (Brochure) [pdf]

– Tips for Paddling on Moving Water:

If you are going on a river instead of a lake, you should have experience on moving water and/or have plenty of flatwater experience and read up on moving water before going. Visit the Google Books link for Kayaking by Pamela S. Dillon and Jeremy Oyen. Scroll down to page 83 and start reading from the title “River Reading” and continue to the end of page 102. This is a great book!

If you are going on a day trip on a lake, you don’t need to read the Tips for Paddling on Moving Water.

– Alberta Parks BearSmart E-booklet [pdf]

Rental Agreement & Waiver:

Rental Agreement [pdf]

Name (print): ________________________________________ Phone No.: ______________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Please initial each blank below.
I have read “A Guide to Paddling Safely in Alberta.” ____
I have read “Tips for Paddling on Moving Water.” ____
I have read the Bear Smart brochure. ____
I have been shown how to use the SPOT GPS device. ____
I am not attempting to paddle beyond my abilities or training. ____
I will wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times when on the water or near the water’s edge. ____
I am aware of Transport Canada’s requirements for boats of this type:
– One approved PFD of appropriate size for each person.
– A throw bag with no less than 15 m buoyant line.
– Paddles.
– One bailer or manual pump capable of pumping water out of the boat.
– A whistle or other sound-signalling device.
– A waterproof flashlight if operating at night or in reduced visibility. Initial here: ____
I understand that I and I alone am responsible for my actions, the outcomes of my actions, and my safety. ____
I understand that I am responsible for the safety of any children or adolescents 18 years of age or younger who are joining me in this activity. ____
I understand that I will pay for any major damages to or replacement of any equipment I have rented, including a full replacement if Flow North Paddling Company deems it necessary. ____
Credit Card Info: Name on card: ______________________________________________ Type: VISA / MC

Number: ____________________________________________________ Expiry: ____/____

Release, Waiver and Indemnity [pdf]

Whereas Flow North Ventures Inc. operates a canoe and equipment rental and paddling tour business (the “Activities”) in Northern Alberta and conducts business under the name “Flow North Paddling Company”;
And Whereas the participant (the “Participant”) wishes to participate in the Activities and acknowledges the potential dangers and risks which may arise from participation in the Activities;
1. Now Therefore in consideration of the Participant being given the opportunity to take part in the Activities, the Participant, on behalf of itself, its successors, heirs, assigns, personal representatives and estate, hereby agrees to and does release, waive, and forever discharge Flow North Ventures Inc. and each of its affiliated corporations, successors, subsidiaries, trustees, officers, directors, agents, insurers, servants, contractors and employees (the “Releasees”) from any and all claims, suits, damages, demands, causes of action and liabilities whatsoever arising from any and all losses, costs (including costs on a solicitor client full indemnity basis), expenses, or injuries, including death, that may be sustained by the Participant or to any property belonging to the Participant while participating in the Activities, and the Participant does hereby voluntarily assume all risks of injury, including, without limitation, bodily injury, death or property damage, and all other losses and damages that the Participant may sustain, incur, or be put to, which arise out of or occur directly or indirectly by reason of the Participant’s participation in the Activities, whether or not caused by the negligence of any of the Releasees, and agrees not to sue or to bring any action or claim of any sort against the Releasees.
2. The Participant hereby voluntarily indemnifies and holds harmless the Releasees from and against any and all claims, suits, damages, demands, causes of action, costs (including costs on a solicitor client full indemnity basis), losses, liabilities and expenses of whatsoever nature or kind that may be brought against the Releasees, or any of them relating to, arising out of, or in any way connected with the Participant’s participation in the Activities or any injury, loss or damage, whether or not caused by the negligence of any of the Releasees.
3. The Participant acknowledges that it is fully aware of the risks and dangers associated with the Activities and acknowledges that they may include, but are not restricted to, physically demanding activities; use of equipment; acts or omissions of other participants, non-participants, or unrelated parties to the Activities; the Participant’s own acts or omissions; acts or omissions of the Releasees; exposure to wildlife; weather conditions; first-aid, emergency treatment or other services rendered and the potential lack thereof; physical injury to the Participant or others; and death to the Participant or others.
4. The Participant agrees to inform the Releasees of any activities which the Participant cannot safely perform and the Participant will not perform any activities which the Participant does not feel comfortable performing and/or which may cause injury to the Participant or others.
5. The Participant understands how to use the SPOT GPS Personal Tracker device and agrees that the Participant is responsible to pay for any costs incurred by its use of the “help” or “9-1-1” buttons.
6. This Release, Waiver and Indemnity is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other agreement between the Participant and the Releasees, including, without limitation, any document or invoice respecting the provision of the Activities.
7. This Release, Waiver and Indemnity agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the Province of Alberta and each party hereto irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of Alberta.
The Participant hereby states that it has carefully read this Release, Waiver and Indemnity, fully understand its contents and effects, and freely and voluntarily chooses to execute this Release, Waiver and Indemnity this _____day of _____________, 2014.

___________________________
Participant’s Name (Print)

___________________________

___________________________
Participant’s Address

___________________________
Participant’s Signature

___________________________
Witness

Policies

Deposit, Payment and Refund Policies
Boats are rented on a first-come first-served basis, unless a deposit is made to reserve equipment for certain dates.

The fee for one-day rentals is due at the time of booking; for all other trips, a deposit of 20% of the trip cost will be required at the time of booking to reserve a boat for the dates you desire. The deposit payment must be received within one week, to confirm your boat reservation. You may also choose to make a larger deposit or pay the full amount at the time of booking if you prefer.

Deposits and full payments can be made in one of 3 ways:
– pay cash (if booking in person),
– pay online (Pay-pal),
– or mail a cheque.
Payment in full is required for all rentals before you begin your trip.

Refunds of deposits will be granted if we are notified 14 days or more in advance of your trip’s start date. With 7-13 days notice, 50% of the deposit will be returned to you. For example, if your trip starts on Sunday, July 20, you must call on or before Sunday, July 6 to receive your full deposit back or on Sunday, July 11 at the latest to receive half your deposit back. No deposit is refunded if you cancel your trip with less than 7 days notice. Similarly, if you have to cancel a trip for which you’ve already paid in full, 100% will be refunded with 14+ days’ notice of cancellation, 90% refunded (10% retained) with 7-13 days’ notice, and 80% refunded (20% retained) for trips cancelled with 7-1 days’ notice. No-shows will not receive any refund.

Fees will be recalculated for multi-day trips that end early or finish late due to current or other factors.

The Rental Agreement and Waiver must be filled out and signed for all rentals, no matter how short.

Ad-Hoc (Short-Notice) Rentals
It is best to reserve your boat a minimum of 2 weeks ahead of time, however, boats may be rented on short notice if any are available. The drop-off and pick-up service may also be used, if available. If a long-duration rental is requested, it may not be possible due to other reservations.
A deposit is not required for ad-hoc (short-notice) trips; payment in full must be made at the time of booking.

Paddling Packages
At the time of booking, a deposit of 20% of the trip cost will be required to reserve a boat for the dates you desire. The deposit payment must be received within one week, to confirm your boat reservation.
Packages can be booked up to 4 months in advance. If you do so, you will receive one reminder (phone call or email) 2 weeks before your trip starts.
Full payment is required before you can begin your trip.

Full-Service Outfitting
Full-Service trips must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance to allow us time to take care of all the details. For safety reasons, people with serious allergies should not choose this service (since it includes food). A deposit of 20% is required to reserve the equipment, to be made at the time of booking.

Drop-off and Pick-up Service
For the Drop-Off and Pick-Up Service, we will use our company vehicle and canoe trailer (if necessary) to transport the boat(s) you’ve rented to your starting point and/or ending point, as agreed upon at the time the booking is made. Transportation charge is calculated based on mileage. Remember, costs can be split among the members in your party. We generally do not transport people, but can drive your vehicle to the take-out spot so you can go on your way at the end of your paddle (there is a simple form to fill out giving us permission).

Using the Drop-off and Pick-up Service Only
If you have your own boat but want to make use of our Drop-Off and Pick-Up Service, there are several alternatives:
A) We can meet you at the starting point and drive your vehicle to the end point of your trip for you. You must sign a simple agreement stating that you are allowing us to do that and that it is covered by your vehicle insurance. We will use your gas (or diesel), and yes, we can drive a standard.
B) We can arrange when and where to pick you up and drive you back to your vehicle (at the starting point of your paddle). We will use our vehicle and/or canoe/kayak trailer to transport you and your boat(s). If you choose this option, you will have to use a SPOT device (yours or rent one of ours) to let us know your location so we can pick you up at the right time.
C) You can leave your vehicle at the end point, and we can meet you there and using our vehicle, drive you, your boat and equipment to the put-in spot to start your trip.

Options A and C are best if you don’t know how long your trip will take. You, the customer, assumes the risk of leaving your vehicle unattended (with Option A, we’ll do our best to park it in a good spot). Regular mileage rates apply (50 cents/km), although for very long distances, we will give a discount. We strongly encourage you to choose Option A, since for insurance purposes we are not classified as a taxi service.

Training
If you require training prior to your trip, Flow North will train you or help you find an instructor to teach you. Flow North reserves the right to refuse a rental if you are grossly under-experienced for the trip you plan to take (ex. novice paddler wanting to paddle the toughest section of the Wabasca).

Leave No Trace
We encourage all our renters to practice low-impact or “leave no trace” camping principles as much as possible when recreating in the wilderness. Please visit this page for more information.

Maps
We will share as much local knowledge as we can with you for the river or lake you choose to paddle, including lending you maps for your trip (at no extra charge). If you would like to purchase a map, please tell us when you make your reservation and we will order one for you. They are available in paper, laminated paper, or Tyvek, a water-proof tear-resistant material. Please specify the desired scale (1:250,000 or 1:50,000) — call us to find out what maps are required for each river/lake.

Flow North Brochures [pdf]