§ 1 Scope
These rental terms and safety notes apply to the hire of stand-up paddle boards (“SUP boards”) and sun loungers from Smoke at the Water, owner Benn Neujahr, Am Strand 5a, 19063 Schwerin (“the lessor”). They apply to online bookings via smokeatthewater.de and to walk-up rentals on site at Zippendorf Beach.
§ 2 Formation of contract
For online bookings the hire contract is formed when the booking is completed and the confirmation email is sent. For walk-up rental on site the contract is formed when the equipment is handed over and payment is made. In both cases the hirer confirms on formation that they have read, understood and accepted these terms.
§ 3 Prices and payment
The prices shown in the booking system or on site on the day apply. Online bookings must be paid in advance by credit card or common electronic payment methods (for example Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA direct debit). On-site hires are paid by debit or credit card only at handover. Cash is not accepted, neither for the hire fee nor for any other payment related to the rental.
§ 4 Cancellation and withdrawal
Online bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the booked period. Later cancellation is charged at the full hire price. In clearly dangerous weather (thunderstorm, wind from force 5 Beaufort, storm warning) the lessor cancels the hire; amounts already paid are refunded in full or, at the hirer’s choice, moved to a replacement date.
§ 5 Conditions of use (SUP)
Using a SUP board requires:
- Minimum age 14. Minors between 14 and 17 may only paddle with written consent from a parent or guardian. Children under 14 may only go out accompanied by a capable adult on the same or a second board.
- Confident swimming (at least 200 metres unaided). The hirer expressly warrants this ability.
- No alcohol, drugs or medication that impair fitness to paddle.
- No acute health restrictions that rule out safe use (for example epilepsy, acute cardiovascular conditions, balance disorders). The hirer decides on their own fitness to paddle.
§ 6 Hirer’s duties
The hirer undertakes:
- to wear the leash supplied by the lessor on the foot or ankle for the entire outing;
- to wear a life vest. For children under 14 and non-swimmers this is mandatory; for all other hirers it is strongly recommended; matching vests are provided free of charge;
- to keep sufficient distance from boats, swimming areas, jetties and reed belts and to observe right-of-way rules on Lake Schwerin;
- to leave the water immediately if wind rises to force 4 Beaufort, there is a thunderstorm warning, or visibility is poor;
- to treat the equipment carefully and as intended and to return it complete and undamaged at the agreed time;
- to follow instructions from the lessor and their staff.
§ 7 SUP safety notes
SUP boarding involves a risk of injury and drowning. Typical risks include in particular:
- falling off the board and hitting water, the board or debris;
- hypothermia, especially in low water temperatures in early and late summer;
- collision with motor and sailing boats, other water-sports users or swimmers;
- drift by wind (offshore wind can carry the board far from shore quickly);
- hazards from reeds, underwater plants, driftwood or unseen obstacles;
- shipping traffic including the Weiße Flotte on Lake Schwerin.
The hirer paddles at their own risk. Use is allowed only in daylight and with sufficient visibility.
§ 8 On-site briefing
Before every first issue the hirer receives an oral safety and equipment briefing from the lessor or trained staff. Content: getting on and paddling correctly, using leash and life vest, what to do after a fall, traffic rules and danger zones on Lake Schwerin, and the weather and wind abort rule. Equipment is only issued after the hirer confirms they have understood the briefing.
§ 9 Lessor’s liability
The lessor is fully liable for intent and gross negligence and for injury to life, body or health. For other damage the lessor is liable in cases of slight negligence only if an essential contractual duty (cardinal duty) is breached; in that case liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable damage.
The lessor is not liable for damage the hirer causes by breaching these terms, by ignoring the safety notes or briefing, by concealing relevant health restrictions, or by alcohol or drug use.
The lessor accepts no liability for valuables left in custody or items left on the beach.
§ 10 Hirer’s liability
The hirer is liable for damage to the equipment during the hire period caused by improper use, negligence or intent. In case of loss or irreparable damage the replacement value must be reimbursed. This applies to paddle and leash as well as to the board itself.
§ 11 Deposit
To secure proper return of the equipment, the hirer voluntarily leaves a valid photo ID (for example national ID card, passport or driving licence) as a deposit at handover. The document is kept safely during the hire and handed back immediately on complete, undamaged return of the equipment. No cash deposit is taken, neither in cash nor as a card pre-authorisation. The hirer’s liability for damage or loss under § 10 is unaffected; any claims for damages are pursued separately.
§ 12 Sun loungers
Sun loungers are provided for the booked period. The hirer undertakes to treat them with care and return them on time. For damage or loss the hirer is liable under § 10. The safety notes in §§ 5 to 9 do not apply to sun-lounger use alone.
§ 13 Privacy
Information on processing of personal data in connection with booking and hire is in our privacy policy.
§ 14 Severability
If individual provisions of these terms are or become wholly or partly invalid, the remaining provisions stay in force. The invalid provision is replaced by the valid provision that comes closest to the economic purpose of the invalid one.
§ 15 Governing law and venue
The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Venue for all disputes from this contract is, where legally permitted, Schwerin.
As of: September 2026