Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

At Surf Big Bay, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled safely and responsibly. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you visit our website, use our booking system, or participate in our surf lessons. Our practices are aligned with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa, as well as international data protection standards where applicable.

1. Information We Collect

To provide our surf lessons and manage your bookings effectively, we collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. This includes:

• Contact Details: First name, last name, email address, and phone number.
• Lesson Logistics: Preferred booking date, number of participants, and specific lesson type.
• Equipment & Safety Information: Wetsuit sizes and surfing skill levels to ensure your safety and prep your gear.
• Technical Data: IP addresses, browser type, and basic usage data collected automatically via cookies when you navigate our site.

2. Payment Information Security

All online payments are securely processed through our integrated payment provider, Yoco. Surf Big Bay does not capture, store, or have access to your credit card numbers, CVV codes, or bank account details. Your financial transactions are handled entirely within Yoco’s secure, encrypted environment.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the data we collect strictly for business and operational purposes, including:

• Processing and confirming your surf lesson bookings.
• Sending automated administrative emails, such as payment receipts, booking confirmations, and 24-hour lesson reminders.
• Notifying you of urgent schedule changes or cancellations due to weather or ocean conditions.
• Responding directly to your inquiries via our contact forms.
• Improving our website performance and tailoring your browsing experience.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

Under POPIA, we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

• Contractual Necessity: We need your details to fulfill our agreement to provide you with a surf lesson.
• Consent: When you fill out our contact or booking forms, you grant us clear consent to use that information to contact you regarding your request.
• Legitimate Interest: To ensure safety in the ocean by knowing your swimming/surfing skill level and matching you with the correct equipment.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We respect your privacy and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We only share data with trusted service providers essential to running our business, including:

• Our core scheduling engine (Amelia) and website hosting infrastructure.
• Our payment gateway (Yoco) to process secure card payments.
• Legal authorities, if strictly required to do so by South African law or to protect our safety and legal rights.

6. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, satisfy legal or accounting requirements, or manage ongoing client relationships. When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. This includes using secure server protocols (HTTPS) and restrictive access controls for our internal staff and coaches.

8. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a user based in South Africa, you hold specific rights regarding your personal data. You have the right to:

• Confirm whether we hold any of your personal information.
• Request access to the specific personal data we hold about you.
• Request that we update, correct, or complete inaccurate information.
• Object to the processing of your data or request that we delete your personal information from our active databases.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

9. Cookies

Our website uses basic cookies to optimize your browsing experience and analyze web traffic. You can choose to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings, though disabling them may impact your ability to use certain interactive booking features smoothly.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, your rights, or how we handle your personal data, please contact our Information Officer at:

Email: info@surfbigbay.co.za