RELEASE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the benefits to be derived participating in (___________________________) (Name of Event), (_______________________________________________) (Printed name of Participant) (and the parent or legal guardian of Participant if Participant is a minor), for themselves, their personal representatives, heirs, executors, next of kin, spouses, minor children and assigns, do agree as follows:

 

A. DEFINITIONS - The following definitions apply to terms used in this Agreement:

 

1. “PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT” means launching (and/or assisting another in launching), flying (whether as pilot in command or otherwise) and/or landing (including, but not limited to, crashing) a hang glider or paraglider.

 

2. “SPORTS INJURIES” means personal injury, bodily injury, death, property damage and/or any other personal or financial injury sustained by Participant as a result of Participant’s PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT and/or as a result of the administration of any USHPA programs (for example: the Pilot Proficiency System). If Participant is under 18 years of age, the term “SPORTS INJURIES” means personal injury, bodily injury, death, property damage and/or any other personal or financial injury sustained by Participant as well as personal injury, bodily injury, death, property damage and/or any other personal or financial injury sustained by Participant’s parents or legal guardians, as a result of Participant’s PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT and/or as a result of the administration of any USHPA programs.

 

3. “RELEASED PARTIES” means the following, including their owners, officers, directors, agents, spouses, employees, officials (elected or otherwise), members, independent contractors, sub-contractors, lessors and lessees:

 

a) The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, a California Non-profit Corporation (USHPA);

b) The organizers, directors, officials, stewards and volunteers of the event in which Participant participates;

c) Each of the person(s) sponsoring and/or participating in the administration of Participant’s proficiency rating(s);

d) Each of the hang gliding and/or paragliding organizations that are chapters of the USHPA;

e) The United States Of America and each of the city(ies), town(s), county(ies), State(s) and/or other political subdivisions or governmental agencies within whose jurisdictions Participant launches, flies and/or lands;

f) Each of the property owners on or over whose property Participant may launch, fly and/or land;

g) All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where Participant PARTICIPATES IN THE SPORT. "All persons involved" includes, but is not limited to, spectators, hang glider and/or paraglider pilots, powered ultralight pilots, assistants, drivers, instructors, observers, and owners of hang gliding and/or paragliding equipment; and

h) All other persons lawfully present at the site(s) during Participant’s PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT.

 

B. I FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION THAT I MAY HEREAFTER HAVE FOR SPORTS INJURIES, HOWEVER CAUSED, EVEN IF CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ACTION, INACTION OR NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OF ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

C. I WILL NOT SUE OR MAKE A CLAIM against any of the RELEASED PARTIES for loss or damage on account of SPORTS INJURIES. If I violate this agreement by filing such a suit or making such a claim, I will pay all attorneys’ fees and costs of the RELEASED PARTIES.

D. I AGREE THAT this AGREEMENT shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. All disputes and matters whatsoever concerning SPORTS INJURIES or otherwise arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement shall be litigated, if at all, in and before a Court located in the State of California, U.S.A. to the exclusion of the Courts of any other State or Country.

E. SEVERABILITY. If any part, article, paragraph, sentence or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

F. CONSTRUCTION. This agreement shall apply to any and all SPORTS INJURIES occurring at any time after the execution of this agreement. This agreement is in addition to and is not intended to replace any other agreements related to liability for SPORTS INJURIES that Participant (or Participant's parents or legal guardians) may have signed, either in the past or in the future. To the extent that there is any conflict between such agreements, Participant (and Participant's parents or legal guardians) intends to be subject to the agreement that provides the most expansive release of claims and assumption of risk allowed by law.

G. I REPRESENT THAT Participant is at least 18 years of age, or, that I am the parent or legal guardian of Participant and am making this agreement on behalf of myself and Participant. If I am the parent or legal guardian of Participant, I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND REIMBURSE the RELEASED PARTIES for their defense and indemnity from any claim or liability in the event that Participant suffers SPORTS INURIES as a result of Participant’s PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT, even if caused in whole or in part by the action, inaction or negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the RELEASED PARTIES, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

H. I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS, KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, OF SPORTS INJURIES, HOWEVER CAUSED, EVEN IF CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ACTION, INACTION, OR NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER PASSIVE OR ACTIVE) OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

 

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF ENGAGING IN HANG GLIDING AND/OR PARAGLIDING, AND THAT ACTION, INACTION OR NEGLIGENCE OF OTHERS CAN INCREASE THOSE DANGERS. I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS LEGALLY BINDING AND WILL PREVENT ME FROM RECOVERING MONETARY DAMAGES FROM THE ABOVE LISTED ENTITIES AND/OR INDIVIDUALS, WHETHER SPECIFICALLY NAMED OR NOT, FOR PERSONAL INJURY, BODILY INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, WRONGFUL DEATH, OR ANY OTHER PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INJURY SUSTAINED BY PARTICIPANT IN CONNECTION WITH HANG GLIDING/PARAGLIDING.

 

WARNING: BY SIGNING, YOU ARE WAIVING SIGNIFICANT LEGAL RIGHTS. DO NOT SIGN WITHOUT READING!

 

______________________________     ___/___/___      ______________

Participant’s Signature                                                        Date              Participant’s USHPA Number

 

______________________________                                                     ___/___/___

Signature of Participant’s Parent or Legal Guardian if Participant under 18 years of age              Date