Folkestone Sea Sauna - Membership Agreement

MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

Folkestone Sea Sauna is only open to members who have been accepted as members and 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 that all of our members have a positive and safe experience where we all look after the sauna and each other. 

Folkestone Sea Sauna (FSS) is part of the Folkestone Rowing Club (FRC).

Rules

1. There are no 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 your 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.
4. Wristband: As a member, you will have your own personal wristband which gives you access to the sauna during opening hours. You must always wear your wristband visibly at all times. If you lose your wristband, you must inform Folkestone Sea Sauna immediately so we can block its access. A new wristband can be obtained 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. Aufguss: Use of aromatherapy products on the stove is You will be liable for any damage caused by improper or unauthorised use of aromatherapy products.restricted to those members who have completed the FSS training course. You may only use aromatherapy products provided by FSS and must never use your own products without the prior permission of the FSS management team. You will be liable for any damage caused by improper or unauthorised use of aromatherapy products. FSS-approved products can be found in the black cupboard in the changing room. 
8. You must always obtain the consent of other users before ladling water on the sauna.
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 from time to time.
12. The following are not permitted in the sauna: the consumption of food or alcohol; the smoking of cigarettes 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 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.
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 (rowers only).
17. You will leave the sauna in a clean and tidy condition and will take any rubbish home.
18. You will immediately report anything damaged, broken or in poor condition at the sauna or any accident or “near-miss” incident.
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.
20. FSS and FRC each reserve the right (at their sole discretion) to revoke your membership (without refund of subscription) 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 Folkestone Sea Sauna and being up to date with all membership subscription payments due. FSS and FRC reserve the right to adjust subscription rates.
22. Folkestone Sea Sauna will keep members informed of regular opening hours, but reserves the right, and any time and without notice, to close or suspend access to the sauna (for example, for emergency maintenance or repair) 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. It is not used for constant surveillance.
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, 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 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. We always recommend members going in the sea in pairs for safety reasons.
• Swimming in the sea in the dark or at colder times of the year can be especially risky and should never 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 green safety light, free to borrow from the FSS changing room. 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.
• Please exercise caution when standing up and moving around in the sauna. Do not lean on the safety guard surrounding the stove.
• Be sensible with steam – use the ladle and never pour directly from the bucket. It’s recommended to only use ¼ of a ladle. 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 on 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 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 that 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.…
• In an emergency dial 999, keep calm and do exactly as you are told.
• 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.

Health Declaration

Our members confirm that 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 understand 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.