Acceptable Use & Safety

Water Sports Carry Serious Risk

All water-based activities carry inherent and serious risks, including drowning, cold-water shock, hypothermia, sudden changes in coastal and inland weather, strong currents, tides and submerged hazards. These risks cannot be eliminated by any equipment.

You use Roake Waka equipment at your own risk and must comply with all local water-safety laws and regulations that apply where you are.

• Never enter the water under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never go beyond your own experience, fitness and skill level.
• Always check the local forecast, water conditions, tides and currents before heading out.
• Follow all rules, signage and instructions issued by local authorities and waterway managers.

Lifejackets and Buoyancy Aids Are Mandatory

Where a kit includes a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, it must be worn correctly on every single use, fitted snugly and fastened before you launch. A lifejacket cannot save you if it is in the boat instead of on your body.

Roake Waka accepts no responsibility for any injury, loss or death resulting from failure to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. A wetsuit adds some buoyancy but is not a substitute for a lifejacket.

Supervision of Children and Minors

Any use of water sports equipment by a minor must be under the direct, continuous supervision of a responsible adult guardian at all times. Minors must wear an appropriately sized and fitted lifejacket whenever they are in or near the water.

Equipment must never be used as a toy and must never be left with children unsupervised.

No Unauthorised Commercial Use

Roake Waka kits are supplied for personal, recreational use. You must not use the equipment to run commercial tours, guiding, rental, instruction, hire or any other paid activity unless you hold the appropriate licences, certifications, insurance and approvals required by law in your jurisdiction.

Using recreational equipment for unauthorised commercial activity is at your own risk and may breach local regulations.

Not Search-and-Rescue or Emergency Grade

Roake Waka equipment is amateur, recreational-grade gear. It is not certified search-and-rescue (SAR) or emergency-response equipment and does not meet national emergency, professional or military standards.

You must never rely on this equipment as official SAR, emergency or life-saving apparatus. For any rescue or emergency situation, contact the appropriate emergency services and use equipment certified for that purpose.

Your Responsibilities Before and During Use

You are responsible for assessing whether conditions are safe for your chosen activity and for keeping yourself and your group safe on the water.

• Assess the water, weather, wind, tides and currents yourself before every outing, and turn back if conditions deteriorate.
• Inspect all equipment before use for damage, wear or faults, and do not use anything that is not in sound condition.
• Read and follow all instructions, labels and care guidance supplied with each item.
• Tell someone on shore your plan and expected return, carry a means of calling for help, and do not paddle or swim alone where conditions or rules advise otherwise.

Prohibited Conduct on the Website

When using roakewaka.com you must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems, interfere with the site's operation, introduce malicious code, scrape content for commercial purposes, or use the site for any unlawful or fraudulent activity.

Assumption of Risk and Disclaimer

By using Roake Waka equipment you acknowledge the inherent risks of water-based activities and voluntarily assume those risks. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Roake Waka and ROAKE WAKA LIMITED disclaim all liability for injury, loss, damage or death arising from your use of the equipment, including any failure to follow this policy.

Nothing in this policy excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under New Zealand law, including the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Contact

If you have questions about safe use of your kit, contact ROAKE WAKA LIMITED at support@roakewaka.com. This policy is effective from 31 May 2026 and is governed by the laws of New Zealand.