Terms and Conditions

Drop-in Surf Ltd. – Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Drop-in

Welcome to Drop-in Surf Ltd. ("Drop-in", "we", "us", "our"). We are delighted that you have chosen to join our community of surfers who share rides, costs, and experiences. Our platform has been designed to help surfers connect, arrange journeys, and travel together in a cost-effective and environmentally conscious way.

These Terms and Conditions (the "Terms") are important because they set out the legal framework governing your use of the Drop-in mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Platform" or the "Services"). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms, which create a legally binding agreement between you and Drop-in Surf Ltd, a company incorporated and registered in the United Kingdom.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Platform. We strongly encourage you to read these Terms carefully and, if necessary, seek independent legal advice before proceeding.

1. Introduction & Definitions

1.1 These Terms govern your use of the Platform, which is owned and operated by Drop-in Surf Ltd, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with its registered office at 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ.

1.2 In these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "Driver" means a user of the Platform who offers a journey to one or more Passengers.
• "Passenger" means a user of the Platform who books a ride offered by a Driver.
• "User" or "you" means any person who registers for or uses the Platform, whether as a Driver, Passenger, or both.
• "Ride" means a journey arranged through the Platform between a Driver and one or more Passengers.
• "Stripe" means Stripe Payments Europe, Ltd. and its affiliates, which provide payment processing services for the Platform.
• "Services" means the facilitation, through the Platform, of connections between Drivers and Passengers for the purpose of shared rides.

1.3 Headings in these Terms are for convenience only and shall not affect interpretation. Words in the singular include the plural, and vice versa.

2. Acceptance of Terms

2.1 By downloading, registering for, or using the Platform, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. If you do not accept these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

2.2 We may amend these Terms from time to time. Any changes will be posted on the Platform and will take effect immediately upon posting unless stated otherwise. By continuing to use the Platform after the publication of updated Terms, you are deemed to accept and agree to those changes.

2.3 These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Drop-in and supersede any prior understandings, representations, or agreements.

3. Eligibility & User Accounts

3.1 Minimum Age Requirement. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to register for or use the Platform. By creating an account, you confirm that you meet this minimum age requirement. Drop-in does not verify the age or identity of Users beyond basic onboarding. If a minor misrepresents their age to access the Platform, Drop-in bears no responsibility. Users acknowledge that they are solely responsible for compliance with the minimum age requirement.

3.2 Account Registration. In order to access the Services, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information when registering. You must not impersonate another individual or misrepresent your identity. Gender is self-declared at the time of registration. Drop-in does not verify gender; the information is used solely to enable female-only ride options.

3.3 Account Security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity carried out under your account. You agree to notify us immediately if you suspect any unauthorised use of your account.

3.4 One User, One Account. Each individual may only maintain one account. Accounts are personal and non-transferable.

3.5 Suspension and Termination. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts where we believe that information provided is inaccurate, where there has been a breach of these Terms, or where user behaviour undermines the safety or integrity of the Platform.

4. User Roles: Drivers & Passengers

4.1 Dual Roles. Users may participate as both Drivers and Passengers, provided they meet the requirements for each role.

4.2 Drivers. To become a Driver, you must successfully complete Stripe Connect onboarding, which includes providing accurate bank account details, verifying your phone number, and complying with Stripe's identity and anti-money laundering checks. You may not post rides until onboarding has been successfully completed.

4.3 Passengers. Passengers may book rides immediately upon completing the basic onboarding process. Passengers are responsible for ensuring they arrive at the agreed pick-up point on time and for communicating any changes with the Driver through the Platform.

4.4 Role Switching. Users may switch between roles (Passenger ↔ Driver) subject to compliance with the applicable onboarding requirements.

5. Onboarding & Verification

5.1 Basic Onboarding. All Users must complete basic onboarding, which includes creating a profile, providing an email address, and verifying that email address.

5.2 Enhanced Verification. Drivers must complete mandatory Stripe Connect onboarding to withdraw their driver earnings. Both Drivers and Passengers may choose to undertake optional enhanced verification through Stripe Identity, which may include submission of government-issued identification and a selfie for matching.

5.3 No Guarantee of Verification. While Drop-in facilitates these verifications, we do not warrant or guarantee the identity of any User. Verification status is provided solely as an additional trust-building feature and should not be relied upon as proof of safety, reliability, or competence.

6. Platform's Role (Matchmaker Disclaimer)

6.1 No Transport Services. Drop-in does not own vehicles, does not employ Drivers, and does not provide transport services. The Platform merely facilitates connections between Drivers and Passengers.

6.2 Independent Users. Drivers act in their personal capacity and not as employees, agents, or representatives of Drop-in. Drop-in has no control over the conduct of Users, the condition of vehicles, or the quality, timing, or safety of Rides.

6.3 No Insurance or Guarantees. Drop-in does not provide insurance, guarantees of safety, or assurances regarding the accuracy of ride postings. Drivers are solely responsible for ensuring that they hold appropriate insurance and comply with all applicable legal obligations.

6.4 Limitation of Responsibility. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that Drop-in's role is limited to providing a technology service that enables Users to find and connect with each other. Drop-in is not liable for accidents, losses, damages, disputes, or delays arising out of or connected with any Ride.

7. Driver Responsibilities

7.1 Legal Compliance. Drivers must:

• Hold a valid and current driving licence.
• Ensure their vehicle has valid MOT certification (where required).
• Hold adequate motor insurance covering carriage of passengers.
• Comply with all road traffic laws and regulations.

Drop-in does not verify the validity of any driver's licence, MOT, or insurance. Drivers are solely responsible for compliance with these requirements.

7.2 Vehicle Condition. Drivers must ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy, safe, and suitable for carrying passengers and surfboards.

7.3 Accurate Postings. When posting a Ride, Drivers must provide accurate information including departure time, route, price, and available seats. Misleading postings may result in account suspension.

7.4 Passenger Safety & Conduct. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that passengers are transported safely. Drivers must treat Passengers respectfully and in accordance with applicable laws.

7.5 Independence. Drivers acknowledge that they are solely responsible for their conduct and for any claims, liabilities, or damages that arise out of providing a Ride. Drop-in accepts no responsibility in this regard.

8. Passenger Responsibilities

8.1 Punctuality. Passengers must arrive at the designated meeting point at the agreed time. Drivers are not obliged to wait beyond a reasonable grace period. A Passenger who fails to appear will be deemed a "no-show" and shall not be entitled to a refund.

8.2 Respectful Conduct. Passengers must treat Drivers, fellow Passengers, and their property with courtesy and respect. Aggressive, abusive, or inappropriate behaviour may result in immediate suspension or termination of the Passenger's account.

8.3 Compliance with Laws. Passengers must not request or participate in any Ride that contravenes road traffic laws, safety regulations, or other applicable legislation.

8.4 Prohibited Items. Passengers must not bring into a Driver's vehicle any unlawful substances, dangerous goods, or items likely to cause damage, offence, or discomfort. Surfboards and equipment must be secured and transported at the Passenger's own risk.

8.5 Responsibility for Costs. Passengers are responsible for paying the full agreed contribution for the Ride through the Platform. Passengers must not attempt to make private arrangements for payment outside of the Platform.

8.6 Minor and Pets. Where a Passenger books seats for minors or pets, responsibility for their supervision, safety, behaviour, and compliance with applicable laws lies solely with the booking adult. Drop-in bears no liability in such cases.

9. Booking & Payment Terms

9.1 Booking Confirmation. A Ride is confirmed only when a Passenger has successfully booked and paid through the Platform. Drivers may not demand or accept payments outside the Platform.

9.2 Payment Processing. All payments are processed exclusively through Stripe. Drop-in does not store payment card details and is not responsible for Stripe's processing errors or system outages.

9.3 Service Fees. Drop-in may apply a service fee to each booking, which will be disclosed at the point of payment. This fee is non-refundable except where required by law.

9.4 Currency. All transactions on the Platform are conducted in GBP (£), unless otherwise stated.

9.5 Fraud Prevention. Drop-in reserves the right to withhold or reverse payments if fraudulent, abusive, or suspicious activity is detected.

10. Cancellations & Refunds

10.1 Driver Cancellations. If a Driver cancels a confirmed Ride, the Passenger will receive a full refund. Drop-in may apply sanctions against Drivers who repeatedly cancel Rides without valid reason.

10.2 Passenger Cancellations. If a Passenger cancels a confirmed Ride:

• More than 48 hours before departure → full refund.
• Between 24 and 48 hours before departure → 50% refund.
• Less than 24 hours before departure → no refund.

10.3 No-Shows. If a Passenger fails to attend at the agreed meeting point and time, the Passenger will be charged the full Ride cost.

10.4 Payment Release to Drivers. Payments are released to Drivers only after a forty-eight (48) hour buffer period following the Ride, unless the Passenger raises a dispute within that time.

10.5 Final Authority. Drop-in reserves the right to interpret and apply cancellation and refund rules at its sole discretion, particularly in cases of fraud, abuse, or extenuating circumstances.

11. Dispute Resolution Between Users

11.1 User-to-User Resolution. Drop-in does not act as an arbitrator in disputes between Drivers and Passengers. Users are expected to resolve differences amicably through the Platform's messaging and reporting functions.

11.2 Automated Rules. Refunds and cancellations are managed through automated rules (see Section 10). These rules are designed to provide clarity and fairness but are not subject to negotiation outside the Platform.

11.3 Reporting Issues. Users may report disputes, inappropriate behaviour, or breaches of these Terms via the Platform's reporting system. Drop-in may take appropriate action, including suspending or terminating accounts.

11.4 No Liability. Drop-in accepts no liability for disputes, misunderstandings, or losses arising from interactions between Users.

12. Ratings, Reviews & Reporting

12.1 Ratings. After each Ride, Drivers and Passengers must provide a rating on the Platform. Ratings must be honest, accurate, and respectful. Ratings and reviews are subjective opinions of Users. They are not legally binding, and Drop-in accepts no responsibility for their accuracy, completeness, or the consequences of reliance on them.

12.2 Written Reviews. Users may leave written feedback in addition to star ratings. Users must not post defamatory, offensive, or misleading content.

12.3 Reporting. Users may report other Users for misconduct, safety concerns, or breaches of these Terms. Drop-in may investigate reports and take appropriate action, including suspension or termination of accounts.

12.4 Moderation. Drop-in reserves the right to remove or edit any rating, review, or report that breaches these Terms or otherwise undermines the integrity of the Platform.

12.5 Non-Interference. Ratings and reviews are integral to the trust and safety of the Platform. Users must not attempt to manipulate, suppress, or retaliate against ratings or reviews.

13. Safety Features & Limitations

13.1 Real-Time GPS Tracking. GPS tracking is a mandatory feature of the Platform. Drivers may choose to share either their live location or only their estimated time of arrival (ETA) with Passengers.

13.2 Gender-Based Filtering. Female Passengers may request female-only Rides. Drop-in does not warrant the availability of female Drivers and accepts no liability if such requests cannot be fulfilled.

13.3 Optional Identity Verification. Users may choose to undergo optional ID verification. Verification status is displayed on profiles but is not a guarantee of trustworthiness.

13.4 Limitations. Drop-in does not conduct criminal background checks or provide insurance coverage. Users are solely responsible for their safety, due diligence, and decision to participate in a Ride.

13.5 Emergency Situations. In an emergency, Users must contact local emergency services directly. Drop-in does not provide emergency response services.

14. User Conduct & Prohibited Activities

14.1 General Conduct. Users must act in good faith, treat each other with respect, and use the Platform only for lawful purposes.

14.2 Prohibited Conduct. Users must not:

• Harass, threaten, or abuse Drivers, Passengers, or Drop-in staff.
• Use the Platform to transport unlawful substances, weapons, or dangerous goods.
• Engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or payment circumvention.
• Interfere with the Platform, including through hacking, scraping, or reverse engineering.
• Post defamatory, obscene, or discriminatory content.
• Use the Platform to generate financial profit or operate as a commercial transport service. The Platform is strictly for cost-sharing and community purposes.

14.3 Community Integrity. The Platform is intended to foster trust within the surfing community. Users who engage in behaviour that undermines this trust may have their accounts suspended or terminated without notice.

14.4 Consequences of Breach. Any breach of this Section may result in immediate account suspension or termination, without prejudice to Drop-in's right to pursue legal remedies.

14.5 User Liability. Drop-in is not responsible for damages, losses, inappropriate behaviour, misconduct, or crimes committed by Users. Ratings, history, and verification features are informal vetting tools only and must not be relied upon as guarantees of safety or reliability. By participating in a Ride, Users accept full responsibility for their decision to engage.

15. Intellectual Property Rights

15.1 Ownership. All intellectual property rights in the Platform, including but not limited to software, code, design, branding, graphics, databases, algorithms, and trademarks, are owned or licensed by Drop-in Surf Ltd. and are protected under applicable intellectual property laws.

15.2 User Content. Users retain ownership of content they create or upload (such as profile information, photos, and reviews). By submitting such content, Users grant Drop-in a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable licence to host, display, reproduce, and distribute such content solely for the purposes of operating, promoting, and improving the Platform.

15.3 Restrictions. Users may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, lease, reverse engineer, or create derivative works from the Platform or its content without prior written consent from Drop-in.

15.4 Enforcement. Drop-in reserves the right to enforce intellectual property rights to the fullest extent permitted by law.

16. Licence to Use Platform

16.1 Limited Licence. Subject to compliance with these Terms, Drop-in grants Users a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to download and use the Platform for personal, non-commercial purposes.

16.2 Revocation. This licence may be revoked at any time if a User breaches these Terms or engages in conduct harmful to the Platform.

16.3 Prohibited Use. Users must not use the Platform in any manner inconsistent with its intended purpose, including but not limited to: unauthorised commercial use, automated data scraping, or interfering with system integrity.

17. Third-Party Services & Integrations

17.1 Third-Party Providers. The Platform integrates with third-party services including, but not limited to, Stripe (payments and identity verification), Firebase (database and authentication), Google Maps (location and routing), SendGrid (email services), and Apple Pay/Google Pay (digital wallets).

17.2 Third-Party Terms. Use of these services may be subject to additional terms imposed by the relevant third-party provider. By using the Platform, Users agree to comply with such terms.

17.3 No Liability for Third-Party Services. Drop-in is not responsible for errors, interruptions, or damages caused by third-party services. Users engage with third-party services at their own risk.

18. Privacy & Data Processing

18.1 Privacy Policy. The processing of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

18.2 Data Use. By using the Platform, Users acknowledge that Drop-in collects, processes, and stores personal data for purposes including: facilitating rides, processing payments, ensuring safety features, fraud prevention, and communications.

18.3 Legal Compliance. Drop-in complies with the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.

18.4 Third-Party Processors. Certain personal data may be shared with trusted third-party processors (e.g., Stripe, Firebase, Google Maps) strictly for the provision of the Services.

18.5 Data Retention and Deletion.

• Transaction records: 7 years (legal obligations)
• Safety/security reports: 2 years
• Fraud prevention data: 1 year
• Anonymised statistical data: indefinitely

Users may request deletion either (a) immediately in-app (login credentials only), or (b) via email to hello@drop-in.surf for full deletion, processed within 30 days. Certain data must be retained as required by law.

18.6 Breach Notifications. Drop-in complies with the UK GDPR and ICO requirements for breach notifications. In the event of a data breach, Users will be notified where legally required, and Drop-in will report the incident to the ICO within statutory time limits.

19. Limitation of Liability

19.1 Exclusion of Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Drop-in disclaims liability for any loss, damage, injury, cost, or claim arising out of or in connection with:

• Accidents, delays, cancellations, or disputes between Users.
• Vehicle condition, driving conduct, or legal compliance of Drivers.
• Errors, downtime, bugs, or interruptions to the Platform.
• Misuse of the Platform or reliance on verification features.

19.2 Indirect Losses. Drop-in shall not be liable for indirect or consequential damages, including loss of profits, goodwill, or data.

19.3 Statutory Rights. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence where such exclusion would be unlawful. Drop-in also excludes liability, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for indirect or consequential losses.

20. Indemnity Clause

20.1 User Indemnity. Users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Drop-in Surf Ltd., its directors, employees, and affiliates from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of:

• Breach of these Terms;
• Misuse of the Platform;
• Participation in a Ride;
• Violation of law or third-party rights.

20.2 Survival. This indemnity obligation survives termination of a User's account or cessation of use of the Platform.

21. Account Suspension & Termination

21.1 Suspension. Drop-in may suspend or restrict access to a User's account at any time where there is suspicion of breach, fraud, safety concerns, or misuse of the Platform.

21.2 Termination. Drop-in may terminate an account without notice where there is serious or repeated breach of these Terms, inappropriate behaviour, or activities harmful to the Platform.

21.3 Consequences. Upon termination, the User loses access to their account and any content or information stored therein. Drop-in may retain certain data as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

22. Beta / Early Access Disclaimer

22.1 Work in Progress. The Platform may be made available during a beta or early access phase. Features, functionality, and design may be incomplete or subject to change. The Drop-in Platform is currently provided in beta phase. Features, functionality, and design may be incomplete or subject to change.

22.2 No Warranties. During beta or early access phases, Drop-in provides the Platform "as is" without warranties as to reliability, availability, or performance.

22.3 Acknowledgement. Users acknowledge that participation in beta or early access carries risks, including service interruptions, data loss, or unexpected behaviour.

23. Force Majeure

23.1 Events Beyond Control. Drop-in shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performance resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, strikes, labour disputes, wars, acts of terrorism, epidemics, power failures, internet outages, or regulatory restrictions.

23.2 Suspension of Services. During a force majeure event, Drop-in may suspend Services without liability.

24. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

24.1 Governing Law. These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

24.2 Jurisdiction. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to resolve any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms.

25. Amendments & Entire Agreement

25.1 Amendments. Drop-in reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Updates will be effective upon posting to the Platform unless otherwise stated. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms.

25.2 Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between Users and Drop-in, superseding any prior understandings, representations, or agreements.

25.3 Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

26. Notices

26.1 All legal notices, requests, or communications under these Terms must be sent in writing to Drop-in Surf Ltd at its registered office: 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ.

26.2 Users may also contact Drop-in electronically at hello@drop-in.surf for general enquiries, complaints, or account matters.

26.3 Notices will be deemed received:

• (a) if sent by post, two (2) business days after posting within the UK, or seven (7) business days for international delivery;
• (b) if sent by email, on the day of transmission provided no delivery failure notice is received.