Waiver, Health & Safety,
Terms & Conditions

Section 1

About Recover Studio

Recover Studio is operated by Freedive Aotearoa Limited, located at 30 Selwyn Road, Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Our studio offers sauna, cold plunge, breathwork and associated wellness services.

These terms apply to all sessions, classes, memberships, session packs, private hire bookings and associated purchases. By making a booking or purchasing any product, you confirm you have read, understood and agree to these terms in full.

Section 2

Health & Safety Waiver — Release of Liability

Acknowledgement of risks. I understand and acknowledge that use of the sauna, cold plunge, breathwork classes and associated facilities involves known and unknown risks, including but not limited to:

• Rapid increases and decreases in core body temperature
• Cardiovascular stress from heat and cold exposure
• Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting from temperature changes
• Breathing changes in response to cold water immersion
• Slipping on wet surfaces in the courtyard or changing area
• Dehydration from heat exposure
• In rare circumstances, serious injury or death

Voluntary participation. I confirm that I am voluntarily choosing to use these facilities and that I have not been pressured or misled into doing so. I accept full personal responsibility for my decision to participate.

Medical fitness. I confirm that I am in good health and not aware of any medical condition that makes it unsafe for me to use sauna or cold plunge facilities. I understand that the following conditions significantly increase risk and I must consult a medical professional before booking if any apply to me:

• Heart disease, unstable angina, or recent heart attack (within 4 weeks)
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure or cardiovascular conditions
• Pregnancy (sauna and cold plunge are not recommended during pregnancy)
• Severe aortic stenosis or decompensated heart failure
• Active epilepsy or seizure disorders
• Severe respiratory conditions including severe asthma
• Active infections, fever, open wounds or communicable illness
• Raynaud's disease or cold urticaria (cold allergy)
• Current use of medications that affect blood pressure, heart rate or temperature regulation
• Recent surgery (within 6 weeks)
• Any other condition your doctor has advised caution with heat or cold exposure

Alcohol and substances. You must not use the sauna or cold plunge if you have consumed alcohol or recreational drugs within the preceding 4 hours. Alcohol and drug use significantly increases the risk of overheating, blackout and drowning. Anyone who appears to be under the influence will be asked to leave and no refund will be issued.

Assumption of risk. To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, I voluntarily assume all risks associated with my use of Recover Studio's facilities and services. I agree that Freedive Aotearoa Limited, its directors, employees, contractors and agents are not liable for any personal injury, illness, death or property damage arising from my use of the facilities, except where caused by our gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

Emergency consent. In the event of a medical emergency during my session, I consent to Recover Studio staff providing first aid and contacting emergency services on my behalf. I authorise Recover Studio to share relevant information with emergency services.

Personal property. Recover Studio takes no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings brought onto the premises. Please leave valuables at home.

Section 3

Studio Rules & Conduct

These rules apply to all guests at all times. They exist to keep everyone safe and to protect the facilities for the whole community.

Before your session:

• Arrive free of body oils, lotions, fake tan, perfume and hair products — these damage the cold plunge filtration and the sauna stones
• Shower before entering the cold plunge
• Arrive hydrated — drink water before your session
• Bring your own towel or hire one at booking. A towel is required in the sauna
• Wear appropriate swimwear or light breathable clothing

In the sauna:

• Use the ladle provided for adding water to the stones — one to two ladles per round
• Never pour water directly from a bottle or bucket onto the heater element — only onto the stones
• Maximum 15 minutes per round. Exit if you feel dizzy, nauseous or unwell
• No phones in the sauna. Silence devices and leave them outside
• Speak quietly. The studio is a recovery space, not a social venue

At the cold plunge:

• Enter feet first, slowly. No jumping, diving or sudden full immersion
• Maximum 3 minutes per round. Listen to your body
• Do not use the cold plunge alone if you have any cardiovascular conditions
• If you feel faint or unwell, exit immediately and sit in the courtyard
• No hyperventilation-style breathing near or in the cold plunge

General:

• Children under 16 are not permitted in the sauna or cold plunge
• Guests aged 16–17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who also signs the waiver
• No glass in the courtyard or sauna
• No smoking or vaping on the premises
• Take your cups and any rubbish to the bench when you leave
• Treat the space as you would your own home

When you leave (self-serve members):

• Switch off the sauna heater — confirm the display reads zero before leaving
• Lock the ranch slider and the front door
• Report any damage, water clarity issues or equipment concerns immediately via message

Section 4

Bookings & Confirmations

All bookings are made online through our booking system. A booking is confirmed only when you receive a confirmation email from Recover Studio. A booking request does not constitute a confirmed booking until this confirmation is received.

By completing a booking you confirm that:

• You have read and agreed to this waiver and these terms
• All information provided is accurate
• You are 16 years or older (or accompanied by a parent or guardian)
• You are not aware of any medical condition that makes it unsafe for you to use these facilities

For group bookings, the person making the booking is responsible for ensuring all members of the group have read and agreed to this waiver before their session. All guests must individually agree to the waiver before entering the studio.

Capacity. Community sessions have a maximum of 6 people per slot. Private sessions are exclusive to your group. Booking slots close automatically when capacity is reached. We do not accept walk-ins for sauna sessions — all visits must be pre-booked.

Section 5

Cancellations, Refunds & Rescheduling

Our cancellation policy — single sessions:

Rescheduling. You may reschedule a session with 24 hours notice at no charge. Rescheduling is subject to availability. Use the link in your confirmation email or contact us directly.

Session packs (concession cards). Session packs are non-refundable once purchased. Credits do not expire while your account is active. If you are unable to use your remaining credits due to a significant change in circumstances, contact us — we will consider requests on a case-by-case basis and issue account credit where appropriate.

Gift cards. Gift cards never expire. They are non-refundable but transferable — you may pass them to another person.

Private hire cancellations.

Faulty or substandard service. If we fail to deliver a service as described — for example, equipment failure that materially affects your session — you are entitled to a remedy under the Consumer Guarantees Act. This may include a reschedule, credit or refund. Please notify us immediately if something is wrong during or after your session.

Section 6

Membership Terms

Memberships are billed monthly via GoCardless direct debit. By signing up for a membership you agree to the following terms.

Minimum term. All memberships have a minimum term of 3 months from the date of your first payment. You may not cancel within this period except in exceptional circumstances (see below).

Cancellation. After the 3-month minimum term, you may cancel your membership at any time by giving 1 month's written notice. Notice must be given in writing — by email to our studio contact address. Verbal notice is not accepted. Your membership will continue and your final payment will be collected during the notice period.

Early cancellation. Cancellation within the 3-month minimum term is only available in the following circumstances:

• Serious illness or injury preventing use of the studio (medical certificate required)
• Relocation outside the Bay of Islands region (confirmation required)
• Pregnancy (confirmation required)
• At our discretion in other exceptional circumstances

Pausing. Memberships may be paused for up to 4 weeks per calendar year with 7 days notice. Pauses extend your membership end date by the same number of weeks paused. Billing is paused during this period.

Price changes. We reserve the right to change membership pricing. We will give you 30 days written notice of any price change. If you do not wish to continue at the new price, you may cancel with the standard 1 month notice.

Missed payments. If a direct debit payment fails, we will attempt to collect again within 5 days. If payment continues to fail, your membership access will be suspended until payment is received. Repeated missed payments may result in membership cancellation.

Non-transferable. Memberships are personal and cannot be shared, transferred or gifted to another person.

Session booking. Membership credits must be used within the calendar month — unused sessions do not roll over to the following month. Unlimited members may book as many sessions per month as availability allows.

Section 7

Privacy & Personal Information

Recover Studio collects personal information including your name, email, phone number, and health information provided through booking intake questions. This information is collected under the Privacy Act 2020.

We use your information to:

• Process and manage your bookings
• Send booking confirmations and reminders
• Maintain safety records in case of incident
• Contact you about your membership
• Send occasional studio updates (you may unsubscribe at any time)

We do not sell, share or disclose your personal information to third parties except where required by law, or to service providers directly involved in delivering our services (such as our booking software and payment processor).

Health information provided in intake forms is treated with the highest level of confidentiality and is accessed only by studio staff for safety purposes. You have the right to access and correct any personal information we hold about you. Contact us to make a request.

Section 8

General Terms

Age restriction. You must be 16 years or older to use the sauna and cold plunge. Guests aged 16–17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who signs the waiver on their behalf.

Right to refuse service. We reserve the right to refuse or end access to any guest who is behaving unsafely, in breach of these terms, or whose presence poses a risk to themselves or others. No refund will be issued where service is refused due to a breach of these terms.

Photography. You may take photos for personal use in the courtyard and studio spaces. Please be respectful of other guests — do not photograph other people without their consent. We may photograph the space for marketing purposes but will never publish identifiable images of guests without written consent.

Damage. Guests are responsible for any damage to studio property caused through misuse or breach of these rules. This includes damage to the sauna heater caused by improper use (such as pouring excessive water directly onto heating elements). Costs of repair may be recovered from the guest responsible.

Governing law. These terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes will be resolved under New Zealand jurisdiction. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986 apply to all transactions with New Zealand consumers.

Changes to terms. We may update these terms from time to time. The current version is always available on our website. Continued use of our services after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

Contact. For any questions about these terms, bookings, cancellations or complaints, contact us at:
Recover Studio, 30 Selwyn Road, Paihia, Bay of Islands
Email: via our website contact page
Hours: Monday–Saturday, studio hours