By signing up, joining as a member, purchasing, or participating in a master class, private class, instructor class, general class, member class, or any other class, program or instruction provided by us ("Classes" or "classes"), gradings, and/or membership with Goju Hakutsuru Karate Do ("GHKD"), you agree to these terms.

1. Participant Understanding

We predominantly teach traditional Goju Ryu karate, meaning it involves physical contact with one or more other practitioners in ways designed to simulate as closely as possible the self-defence options available to a practitioner when confronted with physical aggression and/or threatening behaviour. As in any other physically demanding recreational activity, there is always a risk of injury. Any person participating in a class conducted by us does so with the complete understanding that whilst it is our policy to minimise this risk, the nature of contact physical activity prevents its total elimination. Persons participating in a class we conducted do so voluntarily and at their own risk.

2. Safety

• Instructors will ensure that the training area is clear of any dangerous and/or sharp objects that may pose a risk of injury.
• Participants must not wear jewellery or watches during training.
• Self-Control: All participants in training agree to maintain self-control and care when applying any technique to other participants in the class.
• Instructor's Authority: Any person who, in training, exhibits behaviour that, in the instructor's judgement, is a danger to other participants shall not be allowed to continue training until the instructor determines the threat is no longer present. To protect the safety of all participants, the instructor reserves the right to terminate the class for the participant or participants without refunding class fees.

3. Participation

By participating in our classes and/or joining as a member of GHKD, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Assumption of Risk:
   You understand and acknowledge that participating in self-defence training involves inherent risks, including but not limited to the risk of physical injury. You voluntarily assume all such risks and agree that GHKD, its instructors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any injuries or damages sustained during or as a result of your participation in our classes.

2. Health and Safety Acknowledgment:
   By participating in our karate classes, you acknowledge that you are in suitable physical condition for moderate to vigorous activity. Suppose you have any medical conditions, previous injuries, or health concerns that could affect your ability to train safely. In that case, you should seek medical clearance from a qualified healthcare professional before participating and inform your instructor. While formal medical clearance is not required for all participants, it is strongly recommended if any medical issues are present or if you are unsure about your ability to engage in physical activity safely.

3. Safety Guidelines:
   You agree to follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by our instructors during classes, as listed above. This includes proper warm-up exercises, techniques, and protective gear. Failure to adhere to safety protocols may result in your removal from the class.

4. Participant Responsibilities:
   You are responsible for your actions and well-being during our classes. You agree to communicate any injuries, physical limitations, or concerns to our instructors and to follow their instructions at all times. You also agree to respect other participants' and instructors' rights and safety.

5. Minimum Age:
   Participants must be at least 18 years of age to register for and participate in our classes. By participating, you confirm that you meet the minimum age requirement. We reserve the right to verify age and deny participation to anyone who does not comply.

6. Equipment Usage:
   You agree to use any equipment provided during classes safely and responsibly. You are responsible for inspecting equipment for damage before use and reporting any concerns to our instructors immediately.

7. Code of Conduct:
   You agree to adhere to our code of conduct and dojo etiquette, which promotes a respectful and safe learning environment for all participants. This includes refraining from disruptive behaviour, following instructions, and treating others courteously and respectfully.

8. Fee Payment Obligations:
   You agree to pay all outstanding fees in full and on time, including but not limited to class fees, grading fees, membership fees, or any other charges as they fall due. Failure to do so may result in suspension or termination of class participation, membership and related activities.

9. Indemnification:
   You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GHKD, its instructors, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from participating in our classes, including but not limited to injuries sustained during training.

10. Insurance Coverage:
    You agree that it is your responsibility to ensure adequate personal insurance coverage. We recommend consulting with your insurance provider to verify your coverage for participating in our classes.

4. Applications

You acknowledge and agree that GHKD, its instructors, and affiliates shall not be held liable for the application of techniques shown during our classes outside of the class, whether in private or public settings. The proper application of techniques depends on various factors, including but not limited to the practitioner's skill level, surrounding circumstances, environment, and associated factors beyond our control.

You understand that while our instructors strive to provide comprehensive training and guidance, numerous variables influence the effectiveness and safety of applying techniques in real-life situations. Therefore, you agree that GHKD, its instructors, and affiliates shall not be responsible for any consequences from applying techniques learned during our classes, whether in a self-defence scenario or otherwise.

By participating in our classes, you acknowledge and accept that the responsibility for applying techniques outside class lies solely with the individual practitioner. You agree to hold GHKD, its instructors, and affiliates harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from such application.

5. Uniforms & Training Gear

All participants must wear an approved Karate Uniform (Gi) and Belt (Obi) during all training sessions unless the instructor allows specific approval to wear alternative training gear before the class commences. Registered GHKD members must also have their GHKD badge permanently attached to their Gi in the approved manner.

6. Sparring

• Persons participating in sparring activity must purchase and wear an approved mouthguard and bring this mouthguard to every training session.
• In addition to their personal mouth guards, persons participating in sparring must wear full protective clothing, either their own or as supplied by us, comprising body guards, head guards, groin guards, shin guards, and 14-oz or 16-oz boxing mittens (depending on the type of sparring).
• Not all classes involve sparring; therefore, sparring is not a prerequisite for all types of training. (Please speak to the Instructor if you have any questions or concerns regarding sparring.)

Free sparring is not included in a Master Class or special ad-hoc event. However, demonstration and training of applications (bunkai) may be included. Application training is usually practised as a two-person pre-arranged drill, which can sometimes be referred to as "sparring."

7. Sickness, Injury, and/or COVID-19

• Persons must not train if they suffer from the flu or other viral infections that may be passed on to others.
• Persons must advise the Instructor if they are suffering from any injury or medical condition, either permanent or temporary, that may be adversely affected by certain types of training. Examples include blood pressure problems, cardiac disorders, neck and back injuries, diabetes, and asthma.
• If requested by the Instructor, persons with the above or similar conditions must show this Code of Conduct to their physician and secure a medical certificate clearly stating that they can participate in classes conducted by us and whether any restrictions or conditions are applicable.
• All persons and participants attending a Dojo/Training Area used by us are expected to abide by the COVID-19 safety plan or similar plan set by local government regulations from time to time. Upon entry to the training centre, Persons may be expected to have their temperature checked. If their temperature is over 38 degrees Celsius, they must leave and seek medical advice.
• Persons must make extra effort regarding personal hygiene and use hand sanitiser liberally (available at various sanitation stations).
• All persons who enter the training centre agree to have their contact details stored on our contact register if they are utilised.
• If you cannot abide by our safety plan, please do not attend any class or facility. Non-compliance puts the business and those who attend the training centre or events at unnecessary risk.

8. Other Health-Related Issues

• Persons must not attend our Dojo/Training Area under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Smoking is prohibited in the Dojo/Training Area or outside the entry area.
• Participants must give proper attention to personal hygiene, exhibit clean grooming (i.e., body, hands, feet, and uniform/clothing), and ensure that fingernails and toenails are trimmed and clean. Persons with a cut or bleeding injury must cease training immediately and receive appropriate first aid. They may not re-join the training session until the Instructor has deemed it safe.
• Persons administering first aid to someone suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear protective gloves.

9. Dojo/Training Area Behaviour

• All persons must always be courteous and helpful to each other.
• Physical contact between persons who are training must be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the skill development of those persons.
• Sexual harassment, defined as being where a person is subjected to unwanted or uninvited sexual behaviour, will not be tolerated.
• Discrimination based on sex, ethnic origin, language, colour, or any other form of differentiation will not be tolerated.

10. Billing, Fees, Membership, and Attendance

• All individual class fees, grading fees, membership fees, or any other fees due must be paid in full before the designated training or class commences.
• Membership of GHKD includes free Level Membership of the GHKD section of the Goju Ryu Portal (gojuryuportal.com). Fees, membership benefits, discounts, and special arrangements are subject to the GHKD's terms and conditions, which may be updated from time to time.
• Non-payment of required fees may result in suspension or termination of participation in classes, gradings, and other activities.
• Fees are non-transferable unless expressly approved by the Chief Instructor.
• We reserve the right to adjust class, grading, or membership fees at any time with reasonable notice to current members.
• No refund will be provided for absences.
• Fees paid for classes, gradings, or memberships are non-refundable if a member is absent from regular classes, unless otherwise approved by the Chief Instructor at their sole discretion.
• Extended Absence Policy:
  If a member is absent from regular classes for more than six (6) weeks within a term, we reserve the right to review and adjust their fees, membership benefits, karate rank, and other arrangements. In cases where a member is absent for a continuous period of two (2) months or more without prior approval from the Chief Instructor, their current grading may be downgraded to white belt (10th kyu). Reinstatement of the previous rank will require assessment and approval by the Chief Instructor and may involve additional training and/or fees.

11. Goju Ryu Portal Access

• GHKD karate class members are granted a complimentary free Level Membership to the GHKD section of the Goju Ryu Portal.

• Access to the Goju Ryu Portal is linked to maintaining an active GHKD membership status.

• All members must abide by these Terms and the terms of the Goju Ryu Portal at: Goju Ryu Portal Terms.

• Portal Suspension Policy:
  Access to the Goju Ryu Portal may be suspended if a member falls under the Extended Absence Policy. Access may also be suspended for non-payment of required fees or breach the Portal’s terms of use. Reinstatement of Portal access will be at the sole discretion of the Chief Instructor and/or Goju Ryu Portal administration.

12. Cancellations and Refunds

Failure to pay outstanding fees may result in your participation being suspended or cancelled.

If you cancel due to a health-related issue (e.g., COVID-19), we will require a copy of the medical certificate from an approved physician before any refund of all fees paid will be credited back to the participant.

For refunds for a cancellation to be considered by us, we must be notified before the class or membership term commences. All other refunds will be at the sole discretion of the Chief Instructor.

13. Rights to Photos, Videos, and Audio

All persons and/or participants attending a class or event we run agree that we may take photographs, video and/or audio recordings ("media") of that class or event and that this media may be used for display, promotion and/or advertising, or sold for profit. Participants hereby waive any compensation to which they may otherwise be entitled for appearing in such materials.

Media posted to the school’s social media sites become the property of GRP and GHKD. Participants relinquish any rights to determine the use of said media. We may use media for marketing purposes. You may withdraw consent to use your personal data if you are from the EU, UK, Brazil, or Thailand.

Any person or participant who does not accept this term must inform the Chief Instructor before the class or event commences, and we will use our best endeavours to exclude you from any media recordings.

To protect our intellectual property, we do not permit any person and/or participant attending a class or event to take any media recordings during the class or event.

Participants are allowed to take photographs before a class commences and after a class ends.

Participants are also encouraged to take written personal notes during a class at times permitted by the Instructor.

14. Content Received

The information, guidance, and demonstrations ("content") received during a class are only for the private use of the registered participant. This content must not be shown or discussed with non-participants or third parties unless you are an approved Instructor of GHKD.

15. Onlookers

All classes are open only to registered participants. We do not allow onlookers or third parties to view the class without a valid registration or prior approval from the Chief Instructor of GHKD.

15. Warranties, Guarantees, and Liabilities

We do not warrant or guarantee that you will become fully proficient in the kata, techniques, and/or applications shown during a class.
Individual proficiency levels depend on each individual's skills and rigour in correctly training the kata, techniques, and/or applications shown.
We recommend that you continue participating in our classes, asking questions, and/or training with our Instructors to advance your proficiency.

We do not accept any liability whatsoever for injuries or health issues suffered during one of our classes.
We will use our best endeavours to provide assistance and/or contact third-party medical practitioners or paramedics, but we accept no liability for their attendance or assistance.

By registering for our classes, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by these terms and conditions.
If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you should not participate in our classes.

Warranties, guarantees, and liabilities are limited and apply to our overarching Terms.

GHKD reserves the right to update or modify these terms and conditions without prior notice. It is your responsibility to review these terms periodically for any changes. Continued class participation after such modifications shall constitute your consent to such changes.

16. Changes to Our Terms and Policies

Our Terms and Policies may be updated occasionally to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or other operational needs. You must review them periodically and stay informed of any updates. The most recent revision date is posted at the top of each relevant page, and continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes.