Terms

Safety

In order to ensure the space is a safe and fun space to train in it is important that everybody takes responsibility.

• Ensure any accidents or incidents are reported to reception at the first opportunity.
• If you have an accident you may be required to complete an accident report.
• If someone bleeds on the equipment it will need to be cleaned and possibly quarantined. Please avoid working with cut hands or blisters so we can avoid quarantine. Plasters and tape are available at reception.
• Ice packs and first aid are located in reception. There are also emergency first aid kits in the space—these are only to be used if no first aider is present.
• There must be at least two people in the training space if aerial work is taking place.
• We reserve the right to exclude participants who appear to have been drinking or be under the influence of recreational drugs. This is a health and safety issue. Where this happens, no refunds will be given.
• We reserve the right to exclude participants who break the code of conduct or behave in a dangerous manner.

What to wear

Make sure you wear suitable clothing—comfortable and flexible. Leggings with a t-shirt—either fitted or one you can tuck in—are ideal. Some people choose to wear a leotard/unitard underneath and/or shorts on top; these provide extra protection. Combat trousers, baggy clothes, shorts or trousers with pockets on the side of the leg are not suitable. Jeans are only to be worn for Chinese pole.

Outdoor footwear is not permitted in the training space, and most activities are barefoot. However, a clean pair of indoor trainers/dance shoes may be worn inside for some activities.

It is important that there is no jewellery worn in the space, including body piercings; please remove these before commencing activities.

Physical suitability statement

We believe circus should be accessible to all ages and abilities.

Ground-based skills may be a good starting point for circus and will ease you into training. Aerial skills will build your upper body strength and are more challenging. Flying trapeze will require you to be able to hold your body weight and does have some size restrictions.

Please talk to reception or a member of staff if you have any questions.

Before you start training you will need to complete the emergency contact form and Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ). These are updated regularly, but you should keep reception informed of any changes, including if you are pregnant (or suspect you are). All information is confidential.

Class bookings

All classes operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are bookable via TeamUp. There are limited numbers of participants in each class in order to keep everyone safe. If there is clearly enough demand for a class we will consider timetabling additional sessions/disciplines. We also keep a waiting list and notify you as soon as new classes become available. The current timetable is available on the website, in the training space, on TeamUp and on our social media pages.

When booking a class you must be leveled at the ability of the class and over the age of 16, if you join a class that is beyond your ability or you are below the age requirement you will be asked to leave and no refund will be given.

All classes, workshops and masterclasses are non-refundable—unless canceled by Up Side Down Circus, in which case we will notify you at the earliest possible opportunity and refund you in full.

 
Participants who are more than 10 minutes late cannot join the class unless they have permission from the instructor. Participants who are late for, or do not join, the warm-up may be refused entry to the remainder of the class.

Drop-in/taster classes
Drop-in to a class is allowed at reception’s discretion, and where there is space in a class, based on the following.

• You must be leveled and at the ability of the class.
• You must pay the drop-in class rate.
• That it suits the class—occasionally the existing students could be working on a specific project and drop-ins could be a distraction. 

Liability waiver

On joining us at Up Side Down Circus you agree to the following liability waiver.

In consideration of the services of Up Side Down Circus, their agents, owners, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Up Side Down Circus CIC”), I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge Up Side Down Circus CIC, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as follows.

I acknowledge that my participation in circus arts, aerial arts, aerial silks, flexibility, strengthening, fortitude training, aerial yoga, yoga, pilates, floor-based or airborne acrobatic training, jumping, trampoline activities, handstands, hand balance, contortion and all prop-based/flow art skill manipulations (such as staff/poi/diablo/hula hoop and similar) instruction activities and aerial disciplines (including but not limited to: trapeze, lyra/aerial hoop, corde lisse/aerial rope, flying trapeze, aerial hammock, silks, flying pole, Chinese pole) entails known and unanticipated risks that could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardising the essential qualities of the activity.

The risks include, among other things: slips and falls; falling from equipment; rope burns; pinches, scrapes, twists and jolts that could result in scratches, bruises, sprains, lacerations, fractures, concussions, or even more severe life-threatening hazards; strains, cuts, bruises, muscle soreness and fractures; musculoskeletal injuries including to head, neck, and back; injuries to internal organs; the negligence of other people; the user’s own physical condition; and the risk of emotional and psychological injuries or physical damage associated with this activity.

In any event, if you or your child is injured, any medical assistance will be at your own expense.

Furthermore, Up Side Down Circus CIC employees have difficult jobs to perform.

• They seek safety, but they are not infallible.
• They seek to know you but might be unaware of a participant’s fitness or abilities.
• They might misjudge environmental conditions.
• They may give incomplete warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.

By purchasing any Up Side Down Circus CIC classes, sessions, courses or workshops, you immediately agree to the following terms.

• I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks.
• I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Up Side Down Circus CIC from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, that are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of Up Side Down Circus CIC’s equipment or facilities, including any such claims that allege negligent acts or omissions of Up Side Down Circus CIC.
• Should Up Side Down Circus CIC or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur legal fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
• I agree to bear the costs of any injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have. As a training centre, Up Side Down Circus CIC holds insurance with Equity and Hiscox. Meanwhile, all instructors are insured for public liability. However, this does not hold the centre accountable or liable for any acts of negligence, indecent behavior or non-compliance from clients in association with the instructors and against compliance with the centre’s rules and waiver.
• I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining document shall remain in full force and effect.
• By accepting the terms of this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against Up Side Down Circus CIC on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein. I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.

If you have any questions please contact us at info@upsidedowncircus.co.uk.

Banner image © Pete Rankin Photography—peterankinphotography.weebly.com