1. Statement

These Terms and Conditions form the contract between Academy of Yachting Athens and the customer.

You can contact us at athens@academyofyachting.com.

Our registered details: Effie Theodoridou SP (trading as Academy of Yachting Athens), Megistis 15, 174 55 Alimos, Greece. For urgent matters during a course, call [**24/7 mobile number**]. Emails to addresses other than athens@academyofyachting.com may not be monitored.

2. Booking process

2.1 Direct booking

Your booking is confirmed when you accept our written Offer and we receive the first payment.

2.2 Booking via a third party

If you book via an agent, these Terms apply. If there is a conflict between an agent’s terms and ours, these Terms will apply to the extent of any inconsistency.

3. Payments

30% of the total price is required within 5 days of the Offer. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the course start date.

All prices include VAT. We will invoice you for each instalment. Bank account details appear only on our invoices/offers and will not change. We will never advise new bank details by email. If you receive such a message, call us on the number on our website before paying.

If the balance is not received by the due date, you will have a grace period of five (5) calendar days to complete payment. If payment remains outstanding after this grace period, your booking will be treated as cancelled by you under §5.2 and the cancellation charges in §5.2 will apply. We will send one written reminder on or after the due date.

4. Extra costs

Any costs not specified in the Booking Documents are the customer’s responsibility, including meals taken ashore and other personal expenses.

5. Cancellation Policy

5.1 Schedule change

If both parties agree to postpone a course, no admin fee applies. If the new date falls in a higher‑priced season, the price difference applies.

5.2 Cancellation by the customer

If you cancel 31 or more days before the start, 30% of the total price is due. If you cancel 1–30 days before the start, 100% of the total price is due. We strongly recommend cancellation insurance.

No‑show/late arrival: If you fail to appear on time without prior notice, the booking is treated as cancelled by you and the total price is due. If you notify us of a delay, participation is at the instructor’s discretion for safety and course integrity.

5.3 Cancellation by Academy of Yachting Athens

If we cancel your course before it starts, you may choose between (a) a replacement course with no admin fees or (b) a refund of amounts paid to date. If we must stop a course already underway for reasons within our control, we will offer a re‑run of the undelivered portion or a pro‑rata refund.

Travel and accommodation are at your own risk; please arrange suitable insurance.

5.4 Force majeure

Where safe delivery is affected, we may deliver parts of the course in an alternative or reduced format (for example sheltered‑waters drills in place of an offshore passage, classroom/on‑board theory while awaiting a weather window, or a shorter day sail with intensified exercises). If that will not fairly deliver the substance of your course, you may choose to move to a later date or receive a refund of the undelivered portion of your course fee. Nothing in this clause affects your statutory rights.

6. Amendments

6.1 Amendments by the customer

Changes are subject to availability and our reasonable discretion and must be requested in writing. We are not obliged to offer alternative dates, and we may decline a request where it would affect safety, recognised ratios, vessel suitability, course integrity, or operational planning. Admin fees may apply; any price differences are payable.

6.2 Amendments by Academy of Yachting Athens

We may replace the vessel and/or instructor if needed without any change to price. A replacement yacht may be smaller than the one originally indicated in the Offer. A vessel change will not be treated as a material change provided that all of the following remain true:

(a) the student‑to‑instructor ratio stated in the Offer is not increased and remains within recognised RYA ratios for the course;

(b) each student’s cabin allocation stated in the Offer (for example a private cabin or a shared cabin) is not made worse;

(c) the replacement yacht is suitable and properly equipped to deliver the syllabus, hours and safety standards for the course; and

(d) the inclusions stated in the Offer (for example bed linen if included) are delivered in substance.

If a change we make increases the stated ratio, worsens a student’s cabin allocation, or fails (c) or (d) above, you may choose a refund or rebooking.

We may refuse to issue an RYA certificate if required tuition times or standards are not met. Where the shortfall is due to our actions, we will, where feasible, offer reasonable catch‑up arrangements at no additional tuition fee for the undelivered portion.

7. Variations during the course

If a course is interrupted or ends early due to instructor incapacity or vessel defects, the Chief Instructor will decide if it is safe to continue. We will offer either (a) a re‑run of the undelivered portion or (b) a pro‑rata refund.

8. Travel documents & Crew List

You are responsible for all travel and identity documents required by law. Providing a complete and accurate Crew List form (name, passport number, date of birth, relevant medical information, etc.) is a condition of participation and must be submitted at least five (5) days before the course start date.

If we do not receive the Crew List by this deadline, your booking will be treated as cancelled by you under §5.2. If you book fewer than five (5) days before the start date, you must submit the Crew List immediately upon request and no later than 24 hours after booking; otherwise, your booking will be treated as cancelled by you under §5.2.

The Crew List form also contains the optional photo/video marketing consent described in §10.

We treat health information as special category data and restrict access to those who need it for your safety. We retain it only as long as necessary for your course and delete it in line with our retention schedule.

9. Personal liability / Injury and death

9.1 Inherent risks. Sailing is a physical, outdoor activity. We will provide competent instructors, seaworthy vessels and appropriate safety equipment, and we will take reasonable care to keep you safe. You acknowledge that bumps, bruises, strains and minor injuries can occur despite proper instruction and care, and you agree to participate with reasonable caution.

9.2 Your responsibilities. You must: (a) follow the instructor’s safety instructions at all times, including briefings on hands, lines, winches, hatches and moving parts; (b) use the safety equipment provided (for example lifejackets when required) and wear suitable clothing and footwear; (c) act prudently around lines, winches and moving gear, keeping fingers/hands clear as instructed; (d) tell us before the course starts about any medical condition or medication that could affect your safe participation, and bring any personal medication you may need. We may refuse participation or stop training if, in our reasonable opinion, your behaviour or fitness presents a safety risk.

9.3 Personal property. Your personal property (including instruments, laptops, phones and valuables) is brought at your own risk. We are not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property unless caused by our negligence.

9.4 What we do not exclude. We do not exclude or limit our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for our fraud or gross negligence.

9.5 Limitation for other loss. Otherwise, and to the extent permitted by law, our total liability for losses that are not personal injury is limited to the fees you paid for the course in which the incident occurred. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of earnings, loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity or loss of enjoyment.

10. Right to use photos and videos

We would like to use photos/video from courses in our marketing (for example on our website, social media or brochures). We will only do this with your explicit consent.

How we collect consent. We request this consent in the Crew List form submitted before your course. The consent checkbox is optional and unticked by default. You can take part in the course even if you do not consent, and you can withdraw consent at any time by emailing athens@academyofyachting.com. Withdrawal stops new use of your image and does not require us to recall printed materials already produced.

Minors. We do not use images of minors without the written consent of a parent or guardian, which we will request in the Crew List form where relevant.

On the day. If you prefer not to appear in any identifiable photos/video, please also tell your instructor on arrival and we will ensure you are excluded from shots.

Data protection. We handle any images and related data in line with §11 (GDPR).

11. Personal data (GDPR)

Controller: Effie Theodoridou SP (trading as Academy of Yachting Athens), Megistis 15, 174 55 Alimos, Greece. Contact: athens@academyofyachting.com.

Why we use your data: to run your booking and course (contract), to meet legal and tax duties (legal obligation), to run our business (legitimate interests), and—only if you opt in—for marketing (consent).

Sharing: With the RYA as required to verify certificates and for quality assurance. For further information see www.rya.org.uk/go/privacy.

Your rights: access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, and portability. You can complain to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority.

Retention: We keep financial records for five (5) years from the end of the relevant tax period as required by Greek law and permitted by GDPR.

After legal retention ends, we keep only a minimal verification record unless we have another lawful reason to retain data.

Special category data (health): Health information you provide is used only to keep you safe during training and is accessible to your instructor and our admin team on a need‑to‑know basis.

12. Feedback & complaints

You will be assessed by an Instructor and/or Examiner/Assessor during the course. If you disagree with a decision, first raise it with the school. We aim to acknowledge complaints within 2 working days and to provide a full response within 14 working days. You may also contact the RYA for quality assurance or use ADR.

13. Code of conduct & safety rules

For everyone’s safety, you must follow the instructor’s directions and not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while afloat. We may remove anyone whose behaviour endangers safety or seriously disrupts the course; the cancellation terms will then apply.

14. Weather conditions

The route and itinerary are subject to the Chief Instructor and to weather conditions. Decisions on whether it is safe to sail rest with the instructor. Outcomes are managed under the Force Majeure and Cancellation provisions in §5.

15. Newsletter

We may email course news and offers if you opt in. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the email.

16. Definitions

“Academy of Yachting Athens” is the trade name of Effie Theodoridou SP.

“Offer”, “Agreement”, and “Booking Agreement” refer to the official contract documentation between Effie Theodoridou SP and the customer.

“Customer”, “Student”, “You” and “Your” refer to all persons included in the booking.

“Academy of Yachting Athens”, “The School”, “Ourselves”, “We”, “Our” and “Us” refer to Effie Theodoridou SP.

“Chief Instructor”, “Instructor” and “Skipper” refer to employees or appointed staff of Academy of Yachting Athens.

“Yacht” refers to the vessel used for the course or event.

“Course” means the tuition and associated facilities provided to teach elements of navigation, seamanship, powerboating and sail cruising.

“Event” and “Activity” refer to services other than courses.

“The instructor or skipper in charge” is entitled to act on behalf of Academy of Yachting Athens during courses/events/activities.

“Booking Documents” means our written Offer (including price and inclusions), your written acceptance and/or first payment, our Booking Confirmation, and the Terms & Conditions available at [**URL**] (the version and date stated in your Offer), together with the Joining Instructions referenced in your Offer.

“Joining Instructions” means the practical information we provide for your course (meeting point, times, travel guidance, what to bring, conduct and safety reminders), as updated for your course dates and referenced in the Offer.

“Crew List” means the form we require for legal and safety compliance, containing identity and essential health information for each participant, to be submitted by the deadline stated in §8.

“Course start date” means the calendar date and local time for the start stated in the Offer. All deadlines and cut‑offs in these Terms are calculated by reference to local time in Athens, Greece.

“Private course” means a course booked for an exclusive group with exclusive use of the training yacht(s) for the stated dates.

“Recognised ratios” means the student‑to‑instructor ratios specified by the RYA for the relevant course level and/or the specific ratio stated in the Offer, whichever is stricter.

“Working day” means Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in Greece.

“Pro‑rata refund” means a refund of the course fee in proportion to the part we could not deliver, calculated by calendar days delivered. Example: on a 6‑day course, if 2 days are not delivered, we refund 2/6 of the course fee actually paid.

17. Governing law & jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of them are governed by Greek law. The courts of Athens have exclusive jurisdiction. Consumers may also use approved Alternative Dispute Resolution schemes and the EU ODR platform at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

18. Version & effective date

Effective date of these Terms & Conditions: 01/01/2026.