TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please make sure that the following information is read carefully and that the booking form has been filled in correctly. For multiple bookings, the lead person is responsible for ensuring that all persons listed as being in their party have understood the terms and conditions as outlined below.
Trips are available to all swimmers over 16 years of age. Young people of 16 – 18 years are accepted on the trips, but only under the supervision of an adult participant. In some cases however, we can accept younger competent swimmers.
The total cost of the tour is stated on the relevant page of the website and is in GBP per person, for shared accommodation; if a swimmer would like to stay solo in a double room , then there is a supplement to be paid. Our trips consist of approximately 14-15 places. Each trip is supported by 3 swim guides who are NBLQ or equivalent International Beach Lifeguard qualified with First Aid and 3 support boats and 1 Greek boat captain.
A deposit of 20% is payable upon booking – we will reply to your booking form with ways to pay the deposit. Your place on the trip is reserved once the deposit is received. The outstanding balance is due 10 weeks prior to the start of the trip. We will notify you via email when the remainder is due and ways to pay. In the event that the balance is not received shortly after we email you the final balance statement, we reserve the right to re-allocate your place. If a booking is made within the 10 weeks prior to the start of a trip, then the whole balance is due on the day of booking.
Once the deposit is paid on a booking and the place secured, you will receive an email confirmation as well as the following:
Please make sure you have adequate insurance cover in place, just in case your circumstances change and you have to cancel your holiday. Although we will endeavour to return or apply the participant’s monies to a future trip, in some cases we will have to retain it – please see below. In this circumstance you should claim the retained monies from your insurance company and we will provide a letter supporting your claim.
In the event of a participant wanting to cancel his/her participation for whatever reason, then this should be made known to us as soon as possible via email; the following cancellation policy will apply:
If the cancellation was made prior to 15 weeks of the start of the swim trip. The deposit will be either, returned minus £10 administration fee or retained and applied fully to a future trip with us during the next 15 months and this is the swimmer’s choice.
If the cancellation was made between 10 and 15 weeks of the start of the swim trip. We will retain the deposit and apply it in a future trip with us, valid within the next 15 months. We will deduct £40 for administration costs.
If the cancellation was made within the 10 week period prior to the start of your swim trip. We will retain all of the monies paid by the participant/s, whether it just the deposit or the total sum of the trip. However, if an alternative swimmer has been found by the cancelling participant to fill the cancellation space/s, then the monies will be returned or exchanged between the participants. Cancellations are made via email and are effective from the date of receipt. An email confirming this will be sent by return. If no email is received by you, please telephone for confirmation.
We reserve the right to cancel any trip due to circumstances beyond our control or failure to reach the absolute minimum number of participants. Please note that we will not be able to refund any travel/flight expenses incurred by the participant, so please make sure you have insurance in place to anticipate this eventuality. We would be happy to provide written evidence to support any claim against an insurance company.
It is a requirement and the responsibility of the participant that he/she has taken out Comprehensive Travel Insurance. We will ask for a copy of insurance details (Insurance provider, policy number and 24 hr contact details) prior to the trip departing, also that these details are brought on the trip to give to swim guides during the introductory briefing or just in case you need to access the information.
Insurance must cover the usual loss of luggage and failure to travel but, most importantly, needs to have adequate health cover, medical and accident expenses and cover for repatriation, including air ambulance rescue costs should you become ill during the trip. You must check with your insurance provider that you are covered for ‘escorted open water swimming’.
Where applicable, swimmers should possess the European Health Insurance Card.
You should search the Internet for best possible quotes for insurance but do not forget to try your existing holiday insurance company for an extended insurance, requesting cover for “escorted open water swimming”. There are many insurance providers covering a variety of sports abroad and many swimmers have used the following amongst others:
UK Residents
UK and Non-UK Residents
The trips are designed for people of all ages and abilities, who are fit and healthy and have at least some basic swimming background. We have made our trips as safe as possible and the swimming guides supervising the daily swims are qualified professionals in the field, with relevant life saving/first aid qualifications.
There is, however, a small element of risk involved with trips of this nature and participants are expected to acknowledge and accept the risks. Adequate insurance against adverse events beyond our control is essential to cover all parties involved. Where swimmers choose to undertake activities outside the planned itinerary either on their own or from other trip and tour companies The Big Blue Swim is not liable for anything which might happen during these external activities.
We reserve the right to alter swim routes and itineraries in light of weather conditions for safety and comfort reasons. Open water swimming relies on good sea conditions and in consultation with weather forecast stations and liaison with our boat captain, swimmers will be notified each day of any relevant changes to our specified programme.
The nature of our holidays necessitate that all participants are in a good state of physical and mental health. We will assume this when you accept the terms and conditions on the electronic booking form. Any participants with any medical condition, however minor, which may affect them or other participants, should notify The Big Blue team on booking and it is the swimmers’ responsibility to state this in the relevant section of the booking form.
We need to know if a participant has a disability, is taking any medication or has a medical condition, however minor, that may in any way effect their participation. If a medical condition should arise after you have booked (or a change in medication) you must inform us of this change via email. This information along with all your personal details will remain confidential and will be destroyed shortly after the end of your trip.
If you are unsure about the level of fitness required for our trips please consult with a doctor or obtain a relevant medical/fitness certificate. We reserve the right to refuse individuals from participating in our trips if we consider them to be at risk.
It is the responsibility of participants to get themselves to the start of the trip, which is the hotel at the trips destination. Extensive information as to how to get to each of our destinations is given in the ‘Travel’ tab on each location page of our website and you are advised to read it carefully.
Approximately ten weeks prior to departure a group email to all swimmers in your week will be sent. This email provides arrival information and is a chance to discuss training and travel with the rest of your group. If you do not wish to be included in this group email please let us know at the time of booking or via info@thebigblueswim.com
It is the responsibility of the individual participant to have a valid passport and relevant documentation. Please check visa requirements for Greece well in advance of your trip. (Dependent on your home country you may require 6 months past your departure date on your passport).
