In water sports equipment rental, stand-up paddle boards, or SUPs for those in the know, are booming. Accessible, easy to transport and cheaper than surfing, SUP is taking off on the coast and on every kind of water: lakes, rivers, leisure parks. This growing interest raises a safety question, though. For rental operators, one answer is to build a rental contract into the rental process. Here are five golden rules to make sure your contract is clear and protects both you and your customers.
"Being in touch with nature, being able to start from anywhere and this summer's high temperatures, which clearly boost the appeal of water sports, are drawing more and more people to stand-up paddle, also called SUP," explained Benoît Sfiligoï, head of Sup Riders 47, an association founded in Agen (Lot-et-Garonne, France), in an article published in La Croix in August 2022.
Supervision within associations and professional SUP rental businesses is still a challenge, because the craze for this new board sport comes with safety risks. The tragic death of a 16-year-old girl in the Tarn in July 2022 was a reminder of how dangerous water can be. SUP offers a real feeling of freedom, but it is crucial not to overlook the risks, to understand that the rules differ between the sea and open rivers, and that it is better not to go out alone.
In this context, a rental contract is essential to clearly define the scope of this leisure experience.
Here is everything you need to write it properly:
1. Make the rental terms clear đź“ť
List every item
Your rental contract must be precise. State the equipment rented (SUP boards, paddles, life jackets), the rental period and the total amount due. To avoid any confusion, also include a clear definition of terms such as "renter", "rental operator" and "equipment".
Set out how the equipment is handed over‍
Spell out the conditions under which the equipment is made available, including pick-up and return times, and the consequences of a late return.
Equipment identification
Make sure all your rental equipment is clearly numbered or marked, and that the renter agrees to return the items with the same identifiers. This makes stock management much easier.
Include the terms of use
Define clearly where and how the equipment may be used. This covers age restrictions, the areas where stand-up paddling is allowed, and acceptable weather conditions.
2. Spell out who is liable for what🛡️
When drafting a rental contract for stand-up paddling, it is essential to include specific clauses covering every aspect of handing over the equipment, the renter's responsibilities, and what happens in the event of damage, loss or theft. Here is how these points can be set out:
Civil liability and damage
The stand-up paddle rental contract explicitly states that the renter takes full responsibility for any damage caused to the rented equipment and to third parties while using it. This responsibility runs from the moment the equipment is handed over until it is returned in the condition in which it was supplied, numbered and identified as set out in the contract. It is therefore really important for the renter to have personal civil liability insurance covering these eventualities. For minors, parental consent together with a medical certificate confirming fitness to practise stand-up paddling is required.
Equipment management
The stand-up paddle rental contract also details the conditions for handing over the equipment, stressing that every rented item, from boards to life jackets, is supplied in perfect working order and must be returned with the same identification numbers or marks. The renter therefore agrees to use the equipment in line with the instructions provided, ensuring their own safety and that of other participants.
In the event of loss, theft or damage to the equipment, the renter must inform the rental operator immediately by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, and cover the related costs, in accordance with the articles of the French Civil Code referred to in the contract. Wearing a life jacket is mandatory throughout the activity to ensure the safety of the renter and the other participants.
The purpose of this contract is to set the framework for renting stand-up paddle equipment by clearly defining the renter's responsibilities and obligations, so that everyone enjoys a safe and pleasant experience.
3. Safety first ⚠️
For stand-up paddle rentals, the contract states that safety is an absolute priority for both the rental operator and the renter. This involves a set of clearly defined measures and responsibilities to guarantee a risk-free experience for all participants.
Equipment in good condition and accessories
The rental operator is responsible for providing SUP equipment in perfect condition, including the necessary safety accessories such as life jackets or helmets where needed. The renter, for their part, must use the rented equipment responsibly, following the instructions given at hand-over and during the training session, if there is one.
Using the equipment properly
The relevant article of the rental contract stresses that every renter, when booking the equipment, agrees to follow the safety rules set by the rental operator, including wearing a life jacket at all times during the activity.
Medical certificate and parental consent.
Some rental operators ask for a medical certificate, where required, proving fitness to practise stand-up paddling, especially for minors, who will also need parental consent to go out on a SUP. This document is an extra safeguard for both the rental operator and the renter, ensuring that water activities take place under the best possible safety conditions.
Getting started on a SUP: training
SUP or Stand Up Paddle training can be a crucial part of your rental contract. It commits you to ensuring safe practice of this water activity. In more dangerous spots, such as the open sea, stand-up paddle rental operators therefore always offer an introduction or a detailed training session on how to use the equipment correctly and on paddling techniques before anyone goes on the water.
4. Cancellation and change policy 🔄
The cancellation and change policy for stand-up paddle rentals is an important part of the rental contract. First, because it protects the rights and responsibilities of both the renter and the rental operator. Second because, let's be honest, it will happen to you a lot, for a thousand reasons: weather, too many plans, laziness or the all-time classic, the wrong date or day! In short, be flexible but transparent. Set out your cancellation and change policy in black and white, so that renters know they can change or cancel their booking under certain conditions.
Booking cancellation
If the renter cancels, the rental contract must specify the notice period required to cancel without charge. For example, a cancellation made more than 48 hours before the equipment is handed over could lead to a full or partial refund of the total amount paid. Late cancellations, less than 24 hours before the planned date, on the other hand, may not be refunded at all. They then reflect the costs incurred by the rental operator in preparing the activity.
Booking changes
For booking changes, the renter must send any change request within a timeframe set by the rental operator, often by email, phone or, for the best-equipped businesses, directly on Lokki (in which case you have nothing to do: your schedule updates automatically and you don't tear your hair out handling one cancellation after another). Changes may include the date, the hand-over time or the type of equipment rented, subject to availability.
5. Include the legal requirements đź“ś
When setting up a stand-up paddle rental service, you can include the legal requirements that govern not only the rental contract but also local environmental and safety practices. This helps ensure that SUP is practised safely and respectfully.
Environmental protection and protected areas
The rental contract should stress the renter's responsibility for protecting the environment and respecting protected areas. Before handing over any equipment, tell holidaymakers where stand-up paddling is allowed, with a focus on any local environmental restrictions, such as marine protected areas or nature reserves where access may be limited or banned.
Precautions in dangerous waters
Paddling is more "chill" than surfing, that's true. But it is not risk-free either, especially at sea. It is therefore essential that renters are aware of the potential dangers of SUP in certain sea conditions. The contract can then list the precautions to take when paddling in areas known to be dangerous, such as strong currents, changing tides or areas with heavy boat traffic. Providing safety equipment such as life jackets is mandatory, and using it will be stated as a non-negotiable condition of the rental.
Compliance with local laws and environmental protection
Make sure your contract complies with local laws and regulations on renting and practising stand-up paddle. This includes rules on waterways and the required insurance. Your local tourist office can help you with this.
Privacy and data protection
Don't forget to include a clause on how you handle customers' personal data, in line with privacy laws.
Conclusion
A solid paddle rental contract is crucial to protect your business and give your customers a safe and enjoyable experience. Follow these five rules and you will be well equipped to navigate the sometimes choppy waters of leisure equipment rental.
For more tips and advice on running your rental business, take a look at the resources on our blog GetLokki. Whether you are opening a rental shop, managing equipment rentals or looking for ways to offer an outstanding rental experience, Lokki is here to guide you! 🚣‍♂️ If you rent other types of equipment such as bikes, surfboards or scooters, we have created other content to help you rent them well 💙.
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