Membership

MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT - TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Folkestone Sea Sauna is only open to accepted members who have paid the membership fee. All members must agree to our terms and conditions before applying for membership and familiarise themselves with our rules and safety guidance. This is designed to ensure all our members have a positive and safe experience where we all look after the sauna and each other.  

Folkestone Sea Sauna (“FSS”) is a subgroup of Folkestone Rowing Club (“FRC”). 

Annual membership fees are set by FSS and may be reviewed and adjusted on an annual basis by FSS at its sole discretion. Annual membership lasts 12 months from the membership commencement date. Members will receive a renewal reminder via email 28 days before the membership expires. If members don’t renew their membership it will automatically lapse. 

A membership to FSS also includes social membership of FRC (details can be obtained from the FSS committee).  

Rules 

1. There are no FSS or FRC staff present during the operation of the sauna. Members are responsible for their own well-being. Use of the sauna and its facilities is entirely at the member’s own risk.  
2. The sauna is open to members only – you must not bring additional guests (or pets) into the sauna. 
3. You must be 18 or over to be a member and sauna user. 
4. Wristband: As a member, you will be given your own personal wristband which provides electronic access to the sauna during opening hours. You must visibly wear your wristband at all times when using the sauna. If you lose your wristband,  you must inform FSS immediately so we can block access for that band. A new wristband can be purchased at a cost. It’s only possible to have one active wristband per member. 
5. It is obligatory to wear a swimming costume and sit on a towel when using the sauna.  
6. No footwear or neoprene is allowed in the sauna. 
7. 7. Aufguss: Using aromatherapy products in the sauna and performing aufguss is strictly forbidden unless members have done the safety course provided by FSS. It can be dangerous, cause fire and break the stove if the wrong products are used.  You may be personally be liable for any damage caused by improper or unauthorised use of aromatherapy products. 
8. You must obtain the consent of other sauna users before ladling water onto the sauna rocks. 
9. Do not take photos, videos or voice recordings of other members in the sauna without their prior consent. 
10. You will follow all health & safety guidance set out in this Agreement and displayed at the sauna. 
11. You will comply with any instructions issued by committee members, staff or volunteers of FSS and FRC that may, from time to time, be imposed.
12. The following are not permitted in the sauna: the consumption of food or alcohol;  the smoking of cigarettes, cigars or e-cigarettes; the use of oils, lotions and aerosols; face or body shaving; glass or ceramic containers; flammable materials  (such as books, magazines, newspapers). 
13. You will not use the sauna whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
14. The sauna has a maximum capacity of 12 persons – you must not enter if, in so  doing, this capacity will be exceeded. 
15. FSS and FRC accept no liability for loss, theft or damage to your personal possessions. Please do not leave any valuables unattended. If you think you have had an item stolen, please report it immediately folkestoneseasauna@gmail.com/07941 930 415.
16. We have a cold shower outside, which FSS members are welcome to use. FSS  members are not permitted to use the shower facilities inside FRC (those facilities are for rowers only). 
17. You will leave the sauna in a clean and tidy condition and will take all rubbish home.
18. You will immediately report anything damaged, broken or in poor condition at the  sauna or any accident or “near-miss” incident folkestoneseasauna@gmail.com/07941 930 415 
19. You will behave in a respectful, cooperative and considerate manner towards other members and the staff and volunteers of FSS and FRC. Anti-social, disruptive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and can result in your membership being cancelled with immediate effect and without a refund. 
20. FSS and FRC each reserve the right (at their sole discretion) to revoke your membership (without refund of subscription in whole or in part) at any time and without notice if you fail to comply with any aspect of this Membership Agreement. 
21. Access to the sauna is subject to you having a live membership of FSS and being up to date with all membership subscription payment. FSS and FRC reserve the right to adjust subscription rates from time to time. They will not do this retrospectively. 
22. FSS will keep members informed of regular opening hours, but reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to close or suspend access to the sauna (for example,  for emergency maintenance or repairs) or to change or adjust published opening hours. 
23. You acknowledge the use of CCTV at the entrance to the sauna for safety and security reasons.  
24. You consent to FSS and FRC storing and processing your personal data, for the purpose of maintaining your membership record, in accordance with the Privacy  Notice available at www.folkestonerowingclub.com. 

Safety Guidance - Be safe and considerate 

• FSS members are covered by FRC’s membership insurance whilst on the premises of FRC including the sauna facility, the changing room and the shower area. PLEASE NOTE that FSS members are not covered by FRC’s insurance whilst on public walkways, on the beach and/or in the sea. 
• Swimming in the sea can be dangerous and members who take part in this activity do so entirely at their own risk. For safety reasons, we do not recommend members go into the sea alone. 
• Swimming in the sea in the dark or at colder times of the year can be especially risky and should not be undertaken alone. Please, stay alert and look after fellow swimmers.  ∙ If swimming in the sea in the dark, members are strongly recommended to wear a safety light. Please, be aware that members of the public may be concerned and raise an alarm if they see people walking into the sea in the dark on their own. ∙ Please, exercise caution when standing up and moving around in the sauna. Do not lean on the safety guard surrounding the stove.
• Please be sensible with steam – use the ladle and never pour directly from the bucket. It’s recommended to only use ¼ of a ladle at a time. The water should evaporate immediately to give the hot steam effect. When too much water is added, it cools down the rocks and the excess water goes onto the floor. To get more steam, it’s more effective to use small amounts of water, more frequently. Water should evaporate immediately and never go directly onto the elements. Keeping water off the elements will make the stove last longer. 
• Prolonged use of the sauna is not recommended due to fatiguing effects – limit yourself to a maximum of 20 minutes. 
• Leave the sauna immediately if you experience any nausea, dizziness, hot flushes, cold chills, headaches or other discomfort. 
• Drink plenty of fluids before and after leaving the sauna. 
• Please, keep the doors closed to preserve the heat. 
• Please keep the changing room tidy by putting your clothes in a small pile to make room for others and mop the floor in the changing room before you leave. Always leave the sauna in a clean and tidy state, ready for the next person. 
• Keep all wet gear and neoprene outside the changing room on the shelf provided. This is to avoid excess water on the floor of the changing room. 
• Be considerate towards each other. Be aware of others and keep noise to a minimum. ∙ Mobile phones: We recommend our members bring their mobile phones in case of an emergency but ask that you put your mobile phone on silent and have phone conversations outside. 
• There is a first aid box situated in the changing room. Please, report if you take anything from it so that we can top it up. Report to folkestoneseasauna@gmail.com/07941 930 415 
• In an emergency dial 999, keep calm and do exactly as you are told by the telephone emergency agent. 
• The nearest defibrillator to the sauna is on the beach front at the Boat House Café, Granville Parade, Sandgate (NOTE you will need a phone to dial 999 to access it).
• If something doesn’t look or feel right or makes you feel uncomfortable, please report it immediately to folkestoneseasauna@gmail.com/07941 930 415 

Health Declaration 

Our members confirm they will consult their GP prior to using the sauna if they suffer from any pre-existing medical condition, including (but not limited to) heart disease, cardiac irregularities, asthma, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, circulatory or respiratory problems, seizures or epilepsy, or if they are pregnant, or if they are unsure whether any pre-existing or new medical condition may be exacerbated by use of a sauna. 

Our members must be aware that it may be dangerous to use the sauna while under the influence of any type of alcohol, drugs, anticoagulants, antihistamines, beta-blockers, vasoconstrictor, vasodilators, stimulants, hypnotics, narcotics or tranquillisers. 

What to bring 

∙ Your personal wristband. 

∙ Two towels, one to sit on and one for drying. 

∙ A bottle of water. 

∙ Your smile.