Notes to Applicant and Booking Procedure for Package Programmes

 

Notes to Applicant

(1)	Participants should sign a declaration that they are able to swim with clothes for at least 50 metres / proficient in swimming before they can participate in water sports training courses.
(2)	The participants of Junior Windsurfing Course, Junior Kayaking Course and Junior Dinghy Sailing Courses should be aged between 8 and 13 while the participants of other package programmes must reach aged 14.
(3)	All package programme participants aged below 18 must seek consent from their parents/guardians or persons authorized by their parents/guardians and submit the Parents/Guardians or persons authorised by their Parents/Guardians’ Declaration to the organising Centres for verification when attending the package programmes. The declaration forms are available at the centres or at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/watersport/doc/guardian_declaration.pdf
(4)	Participants should bring along their receipts/permits, recognised qualification (if necessary) and original copy of identity documents used for enrollment for verification by the instructor when attending class: Hong Kong residents should produce their Hong Kong Identity Cards (Birth Certificates / Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes also acceptable for children aged below 11). Children aged 14 or below may produce a copy of their identity documents. The original of a valid photograph-bearing student handbook / card should also be produced if their identity documents supplied do not bear a photograph. Persons without Hong Kong Identity Cards should produce their valid travel documents (such as Passports, Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao). Participants should keep their receipts/permits until the end of the training course/programme.
(5)	Participant’s age is calculated against the commencement date of the programmes.
(6)	All participants should meet the relevant qualification requirement when enrolling for the activities. They must produce their activity log books as well as the recognised qualifications for verification by the centre staff on activity day.
(7)	All crafts can only be used under the supervision of instructors.
(8)	When taking part in water activities, package programme participants should wear suitable clothing and gear (such as swimming suits, swimming trunks, spectacle bands, sun caps, light, fit, breathable long-sleeved clothes); and toe and heel-protected rubber shoes suitable for water sports (slippers or sandals are not allowed), and life jackets or buoyancy aids provided by the centres.
(9)	Any participants who are unable to meet the requirements as stipulated in notes 1 to 8 above will not be allowed to enrol in the package programmes and use the crafts.
(10)	Participants should be aware of their health condition, and consider whether it is suitable for them to enrol in the recreation and sports activity. In case of doubt, please consult a doctor prior to the enrollment of activity.

Booking Procedure

(1)

Advance Booking – Upon registration as SmartPLAY users, members of the public may submit applications for package training courses three months in advance before their commencement (for instance, applications for the package training courses in July must be submitted before 1 April).  SmartPLAY users may submit one application each month for the same type of activities (for instance, all sailing training courses are considered an activity of the same type, irrespective of their levels) to the organising WSC.  Given three different types of activities are currently offered by each of the five WSCs, users may submit a maximum of 15 applications each month.   Places of package training courses will be allocated by the system by means of ballot on the first working day of each month.  Successful applicants will be notified by the system and pay the fee instantly by electronic means.  All participants must register as SmartPLAY users, meet the specified eligibility criteria for the water sports activities such as those on the number of sailing hours, and hold relevant qualification documents such as certificates.  The relevant certificates or qualification proof must be uploaded onto the new system for verification prior to commencement of the training courses.

(2)

Standby Booking – If there are places available after payment due date in any given month, such unfilled places will be open for application starting from the 20th day of the said month on a first-come-first-served basis.  The applicants of standby booking may submit application via SmartPLAY.  Successful applicants will be notified by the system and pay the fee instantly by electronic means.

 

Bad Weather Arrangement

Reallocation of bookings will only be arranged as the Centre has to be temporarily closed due to the issue of tropical cyclone warning signal No.3 or above and unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather. 

If the original booking falls the non-peak day, the reallocated session should be within the alternative non-peak day of the same venue.  For peak days, reallocation is however allowed to be made in either peak or non-peak days.  The group/organisation is entitled to refund of the difference in charges for reallocation of sessions.

If a mutually acceptable alternative date and time cannot be arranged, the group/organisation may apply for a full refund.  Application of refund should be made within 30 days, inclusive of the day of the original booking.