Terms of Hire &
Risk Warning
Version 1.0 · 5 August 2026 · Bondi Surf Rentals, 48 Sir Thomas Mitchell Road, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Risk warning
Surfing is dangerous. You can be seriously injured, permanently disabled or killed.
This is a risk warning for the purposes of section 5M of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW). Please read it before you hire a board.
What you're taking on
- Waves and dumping surf. Waves break with real force and can drive you into the sand.
- Shallow water and sandbars. Hitting the bottom head-first causes neck and spinal injuries, including paralysis.
- Rips and currents. These change daily and can take you out fast.
- Your own board. Being struck by your own board or leg rope is one of the most common surfing injuries.
- Other people. Collisions with other surfers, swimmers and their boards.
- Marine life, including bluebottles and other stingers.
- Cold, heat, sun, exhaustion and dehydration. Water temperature in winter is around 17–18°C.
- Conditions change without warning, sometimes within a single session.
Things you should be clear about
- We give you a board. We don't give lessons, instruction or supervision, and you shouldn't expect any.
- You surf unsupervised. The beach may be unpatrolled, or you may end up outside the flags.
- You need to be a confident ocean swimmer and able to judge honestly whether the conditions suit your ability. Only you can make that call.
Hiring a board
- Photo ID on pickup. We note it down and hand it straight back. No bond and no card hold.
- Check your gear before you paddle out. Look over the board, fins and leg rope. If anything looks damaged or doesn't feel right, don't use it — bring it back and we'll swap it, no charge and no argument.
- Wear the leg rope. A loose board is a danger to everyone in the water.
- Don't surf under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Tell us about any medical condition that might matter in the water.
- Follow beach signage, flags and lifeguard directions.
- The board is for you, the person who hired it. Please don't lend it on.
- Bring it back on time, and tell us about any damage when you do. We'd always rather know.
Under 18s
Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another responsible adult, who needs to read this risk warning too. We'll go through it with both of you at pickup.
Damage, loss and wear
- Normal wear and tear is on us. Dings happen, boards get used. We don't charge for ordinary marks or scuffs.
- Serious damage or loss. If a board is lost, or damaged beyond ordinary use, we'll talk about a fair repair or replacement cost. We'll tell you the figure before charging anything.
- You're not responsible for damage that was already there. We check boards between hires, and we're happy to look one over with you before you take it.
Your rights under Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law that can't lawfully be excluded — including the guarantees that the gear we hire you is of acceptable quality and fit for purpose.
Put plainly: this risk warning is about the ocean and the inherent risks of surfing. It is not, and is not intended to be, a way of avoiding responsibility for gear that isn't up to scratch. If we hand you a board with a cracked fin or a perished leg rope, that's on us.
Payment
Most people settle up after their surf, once we know how long you had the board. Cash, bank transfer or card, whatever suits. You only pay for the time you actually use.
Privacy
We collect your name, contact details and the details of your hire so we can run the booking and keep proper records. We look at photo ID at pickup but don't photograph or store it. We keep hire records as long as we're required to, and we don't sell or share your details.
Questions
Call or text 0416 519 495, message on WhatsApp, or email hello@bondisurfrental.com.
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