REFUND POLICY

UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS:

Although some subject matter can be taught  without wind, some lessons are unavoidably dependent on there being enough, but not too much wind.  Additionally, sometimes big surf can make it impractical to give a water lesson.   Also, most lessons can't be given in rain and it's possible that a location may be too crowded for a lesson.

We do our best to schedule lessons that are appropriate for the conditions but of course Mother Nature is not predictable to the fine degree necessary.   Sometimes, the right conditions are expected but don't develop, sometimes the right conditions exist but then become the wrong conditions and sometimes the  wrong conditions unexpectedly become the right conditions.

Fortunately, in the Los Angeles and Ventura area, it is often possible for conditions to be unfavorable at one location but favorable at another - sometimes only a few minutes away and sometimes 30 to 60 minutes away.

The bottom line is that sometimes it is impossible to give the client the lesson planned at the location planned but may possible at another.

If we meet at the scheduled location at the scheduled time, but conditions are too unfavorable, the client has the following options:

1. If possible, change the lesson subject(s) to one or more which are practical and go on with the lesson - normal rates apply but may be discounted up to 50% depending on the situation.

2. Cancel the lesson within 15 minutes of its scheduled beginning - only 25% of the scheduled hourly rate is due. 

3. Travel to another location in the hopes of finding better conditions - travel time is charged at $5 per 15 minutes or any part thereof  in addition to a charge of 25% of the scheduled hourly rate for the first 15 minutes.  Some locations require partial travel time reimbursement returning.  Note: We may limit total time available to what was scheduled because we may have other obligations scheduled after that time slot.

4. Wait for conditions to improve - waiting time is charged at $4 per 15 minutes or any part thereof  in addition to a charge of 25% of the scheduled hourly rate for the first 15 minutes.  Note: We may limit total time available to what was scheduled because we may have other obligations scheduled after that time slot.

PURPOSE OF THE FOLLOWING POLICY:

We implemented the below policy in an attempt to reduce our costs and pass those savings on to our DESERVING clients.   As you can see, our precarious dependence upon Mother Nature creates exceptional problems from a business point of view by not only severely limiting the time available for lessons, but also making those times difficult to predict.

When clients are late, cancel or don't show up, it squanders this limited time and creates severe problems for us which effectively become additional costs.  

By charging the individuals responsible, rather than simply passing these costs on to all our clients, we're hopefully minimizing the costs for on time clients and providing additional motivation for timeliness.  This is also the main reason we give substantial discounts to clients who prepay.

CLIENT LATENESS,  CANCELLATION AND NO SHOW:

LATENESS - Lessons begin and end promptly at their scheduled times .   Because it's not feasible for us to have a grace period, if you're late, your lesson will still end at its scheduled time and you will necessarily be charged for the full time.   Please try to arrive a little early (or a lot - after all, it is at the beach).  For prepaid clients, we will wait the entire time scheduled.   For not prepaid clients we may not wait more than 20 minutes.

CANCELLATIONS - If cancelled and rescheduled at least 48 hours in advance, there is no charge.  If  cancelled and rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance, there is a $25 charge.   If  cancelled and rescheduled at least 1 hour in advance, there is a $35 charge.  If  not cancelled and rescheduled at least 1 hour in advance, the charge is the same as a "NO SHOW".

NO SHOWS - If a client does not show up or cancel his/her lesson at least 1 hour in advance then the charge is 50% of the scheduled lesson cost with a maximum of $100.   For prepaid clients, we will wait the entire time scheduled.   For not prepaid clients we may not wait more than 20 minutes.

Credit Card Charges