Business Responsibility

Every business on Surfyx — whether you're an independent instructor, a school, a shop, or a photographer — commits to the following standards when you create an account. If you fail to meet them, we may limit, suspend, or remove your business from the platform.

• Operate within your competence. Only offer lessons, rentals, or services you are genuinely qualified and experienced to deliver.
• Match conditions to student ability. Never take a student out in conditions above their skill level. Cancel and reschedule when the ocean doesn't cooperate — this is always the right call.
• Maintain your gear. Rental boards, wetsuits, leashes, and any equipment you provide should be in good working order. Damaged gear is taken out of service.
• Carry appropriate insurance. Your insurance requirements vary by country and activity. It is your responsibility to carry appropriate liability coverage and comply with local regulations.
• Know basic first aid. Or ensure someone on staff does, whenever students are in the water with you.

• Accurate listings. Photos, descriptions, pricing, and availability should reflect reality. No bait and switch. No hidden fees.
• Real credentials. If you claim a certification — ISA, lifeguard, rescue, first aid — be prepared to show it. We may ask.
• Authentic reviews. Don't post fake reviews about your own business, don't ask friends to, and don't retaliate against customers who leave honest negative feedback.
• Clear cancellation policies. Be upfront about what happens if weather, conditions, or a student's change of plans affects a booking. Document your policy and honour it.

• Respect local surf etiquette. Teach students about line-up rules, localism, and right of way before their first wave. How you behave in the water shapes how surfers treat each other everywhere.
• Protect fragile spots. Some breaks can't handle commercial lesson traffic. Know which spots in your area welcome surf schools and which ones don't.
• Partner with local stakeholders. Lifeguards, local councils, environmental groups, and fellow surf businesses. A rising tide lifts every board.
• Leave no trace. Bring out everything you bring in. Help clean up when you can. Set the example for your students.

• Be professional. Show up on time, prepared, and focused on your student or customer.
• Communicate promptly. Reply to bookings, messages, and issues within a reasonable window. Surfers plan their holidays around their lessons — don't leave them guessing.
• Handle refunds fairly. If a session can't happen due to conditions or your own unavailability, offer a reschedule or refund per your policy.
• No harassment. Zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or abuse of any kind toward students, customers, staff, or other Surfyx users.
• Protect minors. If you teach children, follow all local child-protection laws and best practices. Never meet a minor without their guardian's explicit consent.

• Register your business with local authorities as required by your country.
• Pay taxes on your Surfyx income per local law. Surfyx provides transaction records; how you report them is your responsibility.
• Hold valid permits, licences, or concessions required to operate on the beaches and in the waters where you teach, rent, or sell.
• Comply with consumer protection, privacy, and data protection laws applicable to your business.

Reports of violations — from surfers, other businesses, or local authorities — go to our Trust & Safety team. We investigate every report, may reach out for your side of the story, and take action ranging from warnings to permanent removal based on severity and pattern.

Decisions are documented and can be appealed. Our goal is not to punish — it's to protect surfers and keep the platform trustworthy for the businesses that do this work properly, which is most of you.