📜 Terms of Service

Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to PaddleLoco! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the PaddleLoco website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Service") operated by PaddleLoco ("we," "us," or "our").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of significant changes via email or through our website. Your continued use of the Service after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Eligibility and Account Registration

Age Requirements

• You must be at least 13 years old to create an account
• Users between 13-17 must have parental consent
• We recommend adult supervision for users under 18, especially when meeting other community members

Account Responsibility

• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials
• You must provide accurate and complete information during registration
• You must promptly update your information if it changes
• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

One Account Per Person

Each person may maintain only one active account. Multiple accounts by the same person may result in account suspension or termination.

Service Description

PaddleLoco provides:

• Location Database: Information about paddling locations including descriptions, weather data, and maps
• PaddleMatch: A system to connect compatible paddlers based on preferences and skills
• Community Forums: Discussion platforms for paddlers to share information and coordinate activities
• Photo Sharing: Galleries for users to share paddling photos and experiences
• User Profiles: Personal profiles showcasing paddling preferences and experience

Important: PaddleLoco is a platform that connects paddlers but does not organize, supervise, or assume responsibility for actual paddling activities.

User Conduct and Community Guidelines

Acceptable Use

When using PaddleLoco, you agree to:

• Be respectful, courteous, and inclusive in all interactions
• Provide accurate information about your paddling experience and preferences
• Follow safety guidelines and promote safe paddling practices
• Respect others' privacy and personal boundaries
• Use the Service only for lawful purposes
• Comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws

Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Harass, bully, threaten, or discriminate against other users
• Share inappropriate, offensive, or illegal content
• Impersonate another person or entity
• Spam other users with unwanted messages or commercial content
• Share false or misleading safety information about locations or conditions
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other accounts or systems
• Use automated tools to scrape or collect data from the Service
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the Service
• Use the Service for commercial purposes without explicit permission
• Post content that infringes on intellectual property rights

Content Standards

All user-generated content must:

• Be relevant to paddling, outdoor recreation, or community topics
• Be respectful and appropriate for all audiences
• Not contain personal attacks or inflammatory language
• Not include personal contact information of others without consent
• Comply with copyright and trademark laws

Safety and Risk Acknowledgment

Assumption of Risk

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: Paddling activities involve inherent risks that can result in serious injury or death. By using PaddleLoco, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Your Responsibilities

• Personal Safety: You are solely responsible for your safety while paddling
• Skills Assessment: Honestly assess and represent your skill level and experience
• Equipment: Ensure you have proper safety equipment for your activities
• Conditions: Check weather, water conditions, and local regulations before paddling
• Trip Planning: Inform others of your paddling plans and expected return
• Partner Selection: Exercise good judgment when choosing paddling partners

Meeting Other Users

• Use caution when meeting people from online platforms
• Consider meeting in public places first
• Trust your instincts about people and situations
• Inform friends or family of your plans when meeting new people
• We recommend joining group activities before one-on-one trips

Location Information

Location information provided by PaddleLoco and its users is for general reference only:

• Conditions can change rapidly and without notice
• Always verify current conditions independently
• We do not guarantee the accuracy of location descriptions
• Local knowledge and current conditions take precedence

Intellectual Property Rights

PaddleLoco Content

The PaddleLoco website, including its design, features, and original content, is owned by PaddleLoco and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

User Content

When you post content to PaddleLoco, you:

• Retain ownership of your original content
• Grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, distribute, and promote your content on our platform
• Represent that you have the right to share the content you post
• Are responsible for ensuring your content doesn't infringe others' rights
• Understand that your content may remain visible even after account deletion (for community benefit)

Respect for Others' Rights

• Don't post copyrighted material without permission
• Don't use others' photos without their consent
• Report any copyright infringement you become aware of
• Respect trademarks and other intellectual property rights

Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which also governs your use of the Service, to understand our practices regarding your personal information.

Information Sharing

• Some profile information is visible to other users for PaddleMatch functionality
• Your posts, comments, and photos are visible to the community
• You control what contact information is shared with potential paddle partners
• We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties

Disclaimers and Limitations

Service Availability

We strive to keep PaddleLoco available 24/7, but we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service. We reserve the right to:

• Modify or discontinue features at any time
• Perform maintenance that may temporarily affect availability
• Limit usage to ensure service quality for all users

Information Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that:

• Location information is always current or complete
• Weather data is completely accurate or up-to-date
• User-provided information is truthful or accurate
• Maps and navigation information are error-free

Third-Party Services

PaddleLoco may integrate with third-party services (weather data, maps, etc.). We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or performance of these external services.

Limitation of Liability

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless PaddleLoco, its operators, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

Account Termination

Termination by You

• You may delete your account at any time through your profile settings
• Some content may remain visible for community benefit (anonymized)
• Termination does not affect your obligations under these Terms

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms of Service
• Engage in behavior harmful to other users or the community
• Provide false or misleading information
• Use the Service in ways that could damage or impair functionality
• Fail to respond to safety concerns or reports

Effect of Termination

• Your access to the Service will be immediately revoked
• Your profile and personal data will be deleted (subject to legal requirements)
• Some community contributions may remain (anonymized) for collective benefit

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

Before taking formal legal action, please contact us to try to resolve any disputes informally. Most issues can be resolved through discussion.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by Canadian law and the laws of the Province of Ontario. Any legal disputes will be resolved in the courts of Ontario, Canada.

Community Disputes

For disputes between users:

• We encourage direct, respectful communication between parties
• Our moderation team can provide assistance if requested
• Serious conflicts may result in account restrictions
• We are not responsible for resolving personal disputes between users

Miscellaneous Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and PaddleLoco regarding the use of our Service.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provisions.

Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights to any third party without restriction.

Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure to perform due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: