I wish to rent or contract services from Saco Bound, Inc.,North Country Canoe & Outfitters Inc., or any affiliated company under the following terms and conditions: I will inspect all equipment to ensure that it is in safe and serviceable condition prior to departing. I acknowledge that I am fully responsible for any and all damage or loss. However, upon paying a damage waiver fee, I will not be responsible for accidental damage to the equipment, (values: Canoes $1500, Kayaks & SUP Boards $1000, Tubes, Paddles & other accessories $75 each. I understand that this damage waiver fee does not cover loss and I remain responsible for the return of all equipment. I will be responsible for the fees for additional pick up runs, and $50.00 per hour for additional employee costs. I understand there are no refunds for early returns, missed pickups, and that we pick up only drivers and Saco Bound equipment on overnight trips. River Briefing, Some Key Points & Safety Info: We’re here to help you plan and have a great trip. There are things that you NEED to know! Read and understand all materials. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Outdoor excursions require planning and the understanding of important information. River conditions change constantly. Float and paddle times will vary with river conditions. New and existing hazards may be present. By entering into this contract, I accept these responsibilities. RESPECT NATURE & THOSE AROUND YOU: Plan Your Trip Well.Take out ALL that you bring in, don’t trample plants or cut live trees. No glass. Leave as little impact as possible. Trash receptacles & outhouses are located at most putins or take outs, (every few hours). Bury human waste & toilet paper in 6’’ of soil, not in the sand, (if public facilities are not available). Please respect the rights of others. Some people want to enjoy PEACE AND QUIET. PRIVATE LAND: Most of the land along the Saco River is private property including sandbars & beaches. Respect the rights of landowners who have posted their land and stay off, keep private property free of trash & stay of yards. FIRES & FISHING: Permits are required by law. Fires are allowed on sandbars only. TAKE-OUT ETIQUETTE: Know how to find your pickup location and be on time. Move your gear & boats so others can get out as well. Meet the shuttle in the assigned location and be ready for pickup. Empty your boats of trash and dispose of it properly. Many river access roads are narrow. Drive 5 MPH. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE VEHICLE SAFETY at parking lots. Return shuttles take drivers and Saco Bound equipment in some cases. GOOD JUDGMENT: I will exercise good judgment while crossing roads, swimming, (DIVING, BANK JUMPING), using rope swings or other potentially dangerous situations. Saco Bound, Inc., is not to be held responsible for poor judgment on my part. I realize the river environment is constantly changing and requires judgment decisions on my part. LIFE JACKETS (PFD): Each person must possess a PFD by law. We strongly recommend that all persons and especially non-swimmers and children wear their PFD any time they are on or near the water. There are no lifeguards at any Saco River facilities. Children 12 and under must wear their PFD at all times while on the water. Saco Bound provides PFD's. COLD: When water and air temperatures are cold, the risk of hypothermia is great during a capsize. Numbness and loss of use of arms and legs can occur within seconds under these conditions. TREES in the RIVER & HIGH WATER: Trees that have fallen into the river, (STRAINERS) pose an extreme danger as you can get swept and be pinned indefinitely resulting in hypothermia or drowning. Swift water has obvious dangers in terms of swimming to safety and becoming trapped by the current. SWAN’S FALLS DAM: Swan’s Falls Dam is 7 miles downstream from Saco Bound. You must know where to take out and carry your equipment around the dam on the right side. I realize there is danger to my life if I try to pass over or near the dam’s edge, and that this danger is substantially increased in high water when the current is swift. STEPS & RIVER ACCESS: Some river access points require negotiating STEEP STEPS, slippery docking systems and river banks. Steps and docks are affected by changing river conditions. Proceed carefully especially when carrying gear. HEAVY RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall may result in rapidly rising water levels and dangerous river conditions. Camp on high ground and tie your canoe or kayak to a live tree (sandbars are not high ground). River can rise many feet. CAPSIZE & SUP BOARDS: Equipment can tip or flip over This can cause entrapment or being thrown into rocks, debris, strainers, docking systems or other items causing injury or death. This risk may increase if falling from a paddleboard. OBSTACLES & RAPIDS: Depending on water levels there may be areas of rapids, rocks & or obstacles in the river. Use caution, avoid obstacles, pull out and scout a safe route or portage around if it is safer to do so. Use extra caution at Walker’s Rip, Redstone Rapids and any other sections with quick water and or obstacles. HIRAM DAM: 42 river miles downriver from Saco Bound. Below the Hiram bridge,(Rte 113) is a dam that can be dangerous. The takeout is above the bridge on the left. CHILDREN & SMALL ADULTS: Please advise us of any persons in your group under 90 pounds as they may need a different PFD. PICKUP TIMES/LATE ARRIVALS: In order to provide good, safe service a timely arrival at your pickup is essential. You will be charged additional shuttle fees if you are late. Additionally, you will be charged a minimum of $50 & $50 per hour for after 6PM. I acknowledge these fees and authorize charges: READ CAREFULLY -- WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY In consideration of Saco Bound, Inc., North Country Canoe & Outfitters Inc., or any affiliated company furnishing services and/or equipment to enable me to participate in canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, stand up paddle boards, organized programs and other outdoor activities, I agree as follows: I fully understand and acknowledge that; (a) outdoor recreational activities have inherent risks, dangers and hazards and such exists in my use of canoes, kayaks, tubes, stand up paddle boards, camping and rafting equipment and my use of put-ins, take-outs, camping areas and transportation services; (b) my participation in such activities and/or use of such equipment may result in injury or illness including, but not limited to bodily injury, disease, strains, fractures, partial and/or total paralysis, death or other ailments that could cause serious disability; (c) these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, employees, officers or agents of Saco Bound, Inc.; the negligence of the participants, the negligence of others, accidents, breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes. Risks and dangers may arise from foreseeable or unforeseeable causes including, but not limited to, guide or company decision making, including a misjudgment of terrain, weather, trail or river route locations, water level, risks of drowning while in a canoe or kayak and such other risks, hazards and dangers that are integral to recreational activities that take place in a wilderness, outdoor or recreational environment; and (d) by my participation in these activities and/or use of equipment, I hereby assume all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any losses and/or damages, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the owners, agents, officers, or employees of Saco Bound, Inc., or by any other person. I further understand that alcohol will, and other substances may impair judgment and reduce a participant’s ability to effectively manage the risks of water travel, camping and land activities; participants should inspect all unfamiliar areas of travel; participants should always wear a fastened life jacket (personal flotation device / PFD); participants should wear footwear which will provide protection from sharp objects, and which may minimize the risk of foot entrapment. Failure to adhere to these and other safety precautions may result in serious injury or death. I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify Saco Bound, Inc., and its owners, agents, officers, related companies and employees from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my use of canoes and kayaks or other equipment or my use of put-ins, take-outs, camping areas and transportation services. I specifically understand that I am releasing, discharging and waiving any claims or actions that I may have presently or in the future for the negligent acts or other conduct by the owners, agents, officers or employees of Saco Bound, Inc. I also understand that by signing this document and acting in any manner as a group leader, consular, camp employee or an adult in a group that has participants under the age of eighteen that I have explained this entire release of liability and all information contained herein to any participants that is under the age of eighteen and confirm that the participant under the age of eighteen understands all risks involved in this activity and submits and is bound to this agreement in full. This agreement is entered into voluntarily, and after careful consideration. I understand that it is a binding agreement upon all persons in the group. If any part of this agreement is found by a Court or any other authority to be invalid, the remainder of the agreement nevertheless shall be in full force and effect. I have read & understand all the information listed. I release Saco Bound Inc. from any claim of liability. Everyone over 18 must sign below and attest and agree to all terms and information contained in this contract, agreement and release of liability. In addition, as Group Leader I authorize charges and agree to pay additional fees for being late or damaged / missing equipment for all persons in my group. Group Leader Signature: Date: May 1, 2024
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