Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct – Surfkin

1. Background

Our platform supports Surfing Australia’s mission to promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive surfing culture, and we expect all users to uphold these standards.
This Code of Conduct applies to all users including surf schools, coaches, participants, parents/guardians, videographers, board riders members, and Local Surf Buddies across all platform activities and interactions.

2. Definitions

Activity: Any surfing contest, training session, event, or related activity organised or facilitated through the platform.

User: Any individual or entity registered on the platform, including participants, coaches, parents/guardians, videographers, board riders members, and affiliated surf schools.

Prohibited Conduct: Behaviours described in Section 5 that violate this Code or other platform policies.

3. Jurisdiction and Scope

3.1 This Code applies to all Users at all times when engaged in platform activities or using platform services.
3.2 The platform operates under the jurisdiction of Australian law, and all Users must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal Australian laws and regulations.
Where Users are participating or engaging with the platform outside of Australia, they must also comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws relevant to their jurisdiction.
3.3 Where conduct involves potential breaches covered by the platform’s Terms & Conditions or external policies (e.g., Surfing Australia’s National Integrity Framework), those policies will take precedence.

4. Expected Behaviours

4.1 All Users Must

  • Act ethically, honestly, and respectfully in all interactions.
  • Maintain professional and appropriate relationships across all communication channels, including social media.
  • Avoid using the platform to promote personal beliefs inconsistent with community standards.
  • Treat all users with courtesy, dignity, and fairness.
  • Safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of all participants, particularly minors.
  • Provide equal opportunity and inclusivity in all platform-related activities.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any that arise promptly.
  • Respect officials, coaches, organisers, and abide by rules and decisions.
  • Immediately report any breaches of this Code or unsafe behaviour.
  • Respect privacy and confidentiality of all users and platform information.
  • Be punctual and prepared for all booked sessions.
  • Accurately represent skill level and availability when booking or creating sessions.
  • Show respect for public surf spaces and natural environments.
  • Adhere to a policy of zero tolerance for verbal, physical, or online abuse.

4.2 Participants

  • Respect fellow participants, coaches, and support staff.
  • Be honest about any health issues or injuries that may affect participation.
  • Maintain high standards of personal behaviour, including language, attitude, and punctuality.
  • Avoid aggression, bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
  • Follow competition rules and respect official decisions, using formal appeals if necessary.
  • Refrain from inappropriate or intimate relationships with coaches or officials.
  • Participate for personal growth and enjoyment, not solely to please others.
  • Cooperate with coaches and staff to maximise development.
  • Report unsafe or inappropriate behaviour immediately.
  • Read and understand the session listing before booking, including skill level, equipment requirements, and environmental conditions.
  • Only confirm bookings when confident in fitness, readiness, and safety.
  • Notify providers promptly in case of cancellations or delays.
  • Use respectful language in reviews, messages, and all interactions.

4.3 Coaches and Surf Schools (Service Providers)

  • Maintain all required qualifications, certifications, and registrations (coaching, first aid, child protection).
  • Act as positive role models with professionalism, integrity, and respect both on and off the platform.
  • Encourage independence, responsibility, and informed decision-making among participants.
  • Collaborate with other professionals (medical, scientific, educational) for holistic participant support.
  • Deliver training appropriate to participants’ age, ability, and developmental needs.
  • Adhere strictly to child safeguarding and privacy laws.
  • Foster safe, inclusive, respectful, and harassment-free environments.
  • Report misconduct or safety concerns promptly.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest or exploiting coaching relationships.
  • Communicate clearly and transparently with participants, parents, and stakeholders.
  • Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Engage in ongoing professional development to uphold best practice standards.
  • Assess environmental safety, including tides, conditions, and surf density, before every session.
  • Confirm participant readiness and ensure their skill level aligns with the session type.
  • Adhere to Surfing Australia and/or governing body safety standards.
  • Clearly communicate rescheduling procedures if conditions change.

4.4 Parents and Guardians

  • Support children’s enjoyment and personal best, not only winning.
  • Encourage respect for coaches, officials, and participants.
  • Avoid undue pressure or criticism.
  • Be positive role models in behaviour and language, including online.
  • Cooperate fully with policies and investigations.
  • Support children in being honest about injuries or health.
  • Respect rules and decisions of coaches and officials.
  • Ensure both parent and child comply with safety and conduct expectations.

4.5 Videographers and Media Personnel

  • Comply with privacy, child protection, and media standards.
  • Obtain permissions before recording or distributing images or footage.
  • Use media responsibly to ensure safety, dignity, and privacy.
  • Avoid intrusive or inappropriate recording practices.
  • Respect participants’ right to opt out of media exposure.
  • Maintain high standards of conduct, avoiding bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
  • Report inappropriate media conduct immediately.
  • Comply with platform policies and legal requirements.

4.6 Board Rider Members

  • Act respectfully and inclusively within the community.
  • Promote safety, fair play, and uphold platform standards.
  • Respect participants, coaches, and platform representatives.
  • Avoid disruptive, unsafe, or damaging behaviour.
  • Report concerns or breaches promptly.
  • Encourage positive and supportive surfing culture.
  • Abide by relevant rules, regulations, and policies.

4.7 Local Surf Buddies

  • Act as equal companions, sharing waves and local knowledge with visiting surfers.
  • Foster an inclusive and supportive community.
  • Do not provide coaching or instruction — buddies are equals, not teachers.
  • Promote safe surfing practices and local etiquette.
  • Respect all surfers, local communities, and the environment.
  • Encourage camaraderie and mutual support in and out of the water.
  • Avoid behaviour that could cause conflict or compromise safety.
  • Abide by privacy and respectful interaction rules.
  • Report unsafe conduct, harassment, or breaches promptly.
  • Celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the surf community.
  • Never engage with minors unless WWCC-compliant, approved, and cleared by the platform.

4.8 Equipment Providers (Board Rentals)

  • Maintain equipment in safe, hygienic, and functional condition.
  • Provide accurate safety instructions and ensure suitability for user’s skill and size.
  • Require signed rental agreements before release.
  • Promptly replace damaged or unsafe equipment.

4.9 Tour Partners (Surf Travel & International Engagements)

  • Ensure compliance with all local and international laws.
  • Provide clear, transparent itineraries, including risks and inclusions/exclusions.
  • Secure insurance, permits, and emergency plans.
  • Safeguard minors and obtain required guardian consents.
  • Promote cultural respect and safe travel conduct.

4.10 Ambassadors, Volunteers, and Sponsors

  • Ambassadors must represent Surfkin positively, inclusively, and truthfully.
  • Volunteers must respect provider instructions, uphold safety standards, and maintain professionalism.
  • Sponsors must use branding responsibly and not misrepresent their affiliation with Surfkin.

5. Prohibited Conduct

A User breaches this Code if they:

  • Harm the reputation or interests of the platform or its community.
  • Abuse, harass, bully, discriminate, or engage in sexual misconduct (including online).
  • Violate child safeguarding laws or fail to report concerns.
  • Manipulate competitions, misuse confidential information, or breach integrity standards.
  • Use illegal substances or behave unlawfully during platform activities.
  • Disobey venue rules or platform policies.
  • Breach confidentiality or privacy obligations.
  • Engage in disruptive, threatening, or unsafe behaviour.

A User also breaches this Code if they:

  • Use the Platform for fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful purposes, including identity theft or false bookings.
  • Attempt to access accounts, data, or systems without authorization, or interfere with the Platform’s security or functionality.
  • Upload or transmit malware, viruses, or harmful code.
  • Collect, harvest, or misuse other Users’ personal data without consent.
  • Use the Platform to send spam, unsolicited advertising, or commercial solicitations.

6. Reporting, Disciplinary Procedures, and Consequences

6.1 Reporting Breaches

  • All Users must report breaches through official reporting channels.
  • Reports will be handled confidentially.
  • Retaliation against good-faith reporters is strictly prohibited.

6.2 Investigation Process

  • Reports will be investigated fairly, impartially, and promptly.
  • Investigations respect natural justice and procedural fairness.
  • External specialists or authorities may be engaged.

6.3 Possible Outcomes
Based on findings, the platform may impose proportionate measures, including but not limited to:

  • Formal warnings or reprimands
  • Temporary suspension
  • Permanent banning
  • Referral to external authorities
  • Removal of session listings or access
  • Loss of access to payments, features, or reviews

6.4 Appeals

  • Users may appeal disciplinary decisions via the platform’s Terms & Conditions process.
  • Appeals will be reviewed independently.
  • Final decisions are binding.

7. Confidentiality

  • Users must respect the confidentiality of sensitive information (personal data, medical records, disciplinary matters, proprietary platform information).
  • Disclosure outside authorised channels may lead to disciplinary action.

8. Data Privacy and Compliance

  • The platform complies with all relevant data protection laws (GDPR, Australian Privacy Principles, or others).
  • Personal data is stored securely and used only for legitimate purposes.
  • Users must respect privacy obligations, especially regarding media and minors.
  • Full details are available in the platform’s Privacy Policy.

9. Conflict Resolution

  • Minor conflicts should be resolved amicably.
  • Escalated disputes must use the formal dispute resolution process.
  • Mediation or independent review may be used.
  • Harassment, intimidation, or retaliation during resolution will not be tolerated.

10. Relationship to Terms & Conditions and Other Policies

  • This Code operates alongside the Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and applicable child protection and integrity frameworks.
  • Users are bound by these collectively.

11. Alcohol and Drug Policy

11.1 Policy Statement
The platform enforces a strict no-alcohol or drug-use policy before and during all lessons, events, and platform-related activities. This ensures the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment of all participants and instructors.

11.2 Communication

  • The policy must be clearly communicated during booking, registration, and pre-session briefings.
  • It must be included in Terms & Conditions and waiver forms.
  • It must be displayed via visible signage on trailers, registration areas, and websites.

11.3 Screening and Instructor Discretion

  • Instructors are empowered to refuse participation if a client appears under the influence (e.g., slurred speech, imbalance, inappropriate behaviour).
  • Instructor judgment will be fully trusted, with group safety as the top priority.

11.4 Incident Response

  • If a client becomes aggressive or uncooperative, they will be calmly and safely removed from the area.
  • A protocol will be in place to contact emergency services or security if required.

12. Working with Minors

12.1 Session Requirements

  • All sessions involving minors must be explicitly flagged and pre-approved on the platform by the service provider.
  • Listings must clearly identify if a session is suitable for minors (e.g., “Kids Group Surf Lesson”).
  • Guardians must provide digital waiver consent before participation.

12.2 Provider Requirements

  • Only service providers with a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) and appropriate qualifications may deliver sessions for minors.
  • Providers must adhere to all relevant child safeguarding policies and legislation.

12.3 Restrictions on Local Surf Buddies

  • Local Surf Buddies must never provide sessions for minors unless they are WWCC-compliant and verified by the platform.