Policies

Shipping Rates for On-Line Orders

We are located in Issaquah, which is near Seattle, WA and all orders ship from this location. We do not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside of Washington State. Kayaks, paddle-boards, and used items are excluded from all on-line order shipping. For on-line orders shipped within the 48 US contiguous States we offer the following three shipping options: USPS Priority Mail (typically 1-2 day delivery, but not guaranteed), UPS Ground, UPS 3-Day Select. Locals can also choose "Free Curbside Pick Up" if picking up order from our Pick-Up Box. For orders shipped to Alaska and Hawaii we only ship via Priority Mail. International orders do not qualify for free shipping offers. Most International orders (except Canada) ship via postal service. Canadian orders generally ship via UPS.

On-line orders over $100.00 (paddles are an exception due to size) shipped to the 48 contiguous states get free UPS Ground shipping. Orders over $100 shipped to AK or HI get free USPS Priority Mail (paddles are an exception to this offer due to size).

Orders that are in-stock typically ship out the next business day (Tue.-Fri.); however, if we receive your order before our daily shipping has been picked up, we will do our best to get your order out the same day. Note the number of shipping days quoted by UPS and the Postal Service begins the day after your order is picked up and doesn't count weekends or holidays. So an order placed on Friday afternoon and shipped via UPS will be picked up on Monday and if shipped UPS Ground to the East Coast of the US it will arrive 1.5 weeks later on Tuesday (11 calendar days after the day you placed the order). The same order would arrive six days sooner (the next Thursday) if UPS 3-Day Select is chosen (picked up on Monday, then Thurs. makes three days after the pick up date -- Note that is six calendar days after the day you placed the order). Priority Mail would be picked up on Saturday and typically be delivered by Wen. which is a day sooner than UPS 3-Day however, UPS has better tracking so feel it is safer.

We do not ship kayaks, however you can arrange to be your own shipper via KAS Transport and we will work with them to ship it FOB to you. See www.shipyourkayak.com

Shipping Rates for orders shipped within US 48 contiguous states for regular priced new items (excluding bargain/sale priced items, used items, rentals, kayaks paddle-boards, and paddles):

Curbside delivery from our Pick-Up Box -- FREE

Order Sub-Total up to $35.00, shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground: Shipping and Handling = $11.99

Order Sub-Total $35.01 to $99.99, shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground: Shipping and Handling = $17.99

Order Sub-Total $100.00 & up (Paddles not included) = FREE shipping (USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground except for AK and HI which get free USPS Priority Mail only) 

(Free shipping does not apply to kayaks, rentals, used equipment, or international orders)

UPS 3-Day Select shipping is extra (i.e. for order subtotal over $100.00, shipped to the contiguous 48 states UPS 3-Day Select shipping = $70.00 total)

If shipping to states west of the Rocky Mountains, UPS Ground is as fast or faster than UPS 3-Day and saves you money.

Shipping rates for kayak paddles

Curbside delivery from our Pick-Up Box -- FREE

1-Piece paddles shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground: Shipping and Handling charge= $60.00

2-Piece paddles shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground: Shipping and Handling charge= $35.00

All International Orders

We do not collect Washington state sales tax on orders shipped outside of the US, but customers are responsible for any duty, VAT or other tax, customs fees, etc. charged by the destination country.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Due to the United States Postal Service no longer shipping packages to some overseas locations, Kayak Academy will not be shipping orders to affected locations. Click here to see USPS's international service disruptions. Shipping to Canada can still be done with the Postal Service.

Canadian Shipping Rates for On-Line Orders (excludes kayaks, paddle-boards, rentals, used equipment)

US Postal Service Priority Mail or UPS Ground :

Order Sub-Total less than $75.00, Shipping and Handling Charges = $35.00

Order Sub-Total $75.00 or more, Shipping and Handling Charges = $50.00

International Shipping Rates (except Canada) for On-Line Orders (excludes kayaks, rentals, used equipment)

US Postal Service:

Order Sub-Total $75.00 or less, Shipping and Handling Charges = $35.00 USPS

Order Sub-Total $75.00 or more, Shipping and Handling Charges = $50.00 USPS

Orders shipped outside the United States are shipped via the Postal Service only (except Canada). The biggest delay for international orders is usually not the shipping, it is your country's customs department, and we have no control over that. Customs delays are highly variable from one shipment to the next even for identical orders to the same address.

Privacy Policy

We do not share our customer contact/mailing list with anyone. We delete credit card information after the transaction is complete. We keep contact information on our customers to benefit you the following ways:

  • To send your invoice or sales receipt and tracking number for shipping via email.
  • So we can contact you if there is a shipping problem or if there is ever a product recall.
  • In order to track purchases in case of warranty returns.
  • So we can contact you about store specials or upcoming events (you can opt-out at any time by sending us an e-mail).
  • Keeping information allows us track the performance of our store and make changes when needed.

Return and Exchange Policy

Returnable items may be returned or exchanged in person at our Kayak Shop or return shipped to us at your expense IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN USED. That means they haven't been taken out onto the water or worn around town. If you have any questions regarding what disqualifies an item for return, please get in contact with us.

Please carefully read our return and exchange policies below for new regular price items, new sale items, used dry suits and all other used gear.

New regular priced items: If you have purchased a new, regularly-priced item from the Kayak Academy, it may be returned for an in-store credit or a full refund within 30 days of the date you pick it up or your order was shipped out. If you have received items through the mail or UPS, please examine the contents in your package and confirm it matches your order. Contact us immediately if there are any discrepancies.

New sale priced items: Any new sale-priced item may be returned within 30 days from the date of shipment for store credit only.

Used items: With the exception of used dry suits, sales are final.

Used dry suits: A used dry suit may be returned within 10 days from the date of shipment for a full refund. After 10 days all sales are final.

Specially ordered items: Special orders for custom made products and items we don't normally stock must be paid in full, in advance, and there are no returns or refunds for such items. This includes all products we do not advertise on our website.

Returns instructions and the return address are listed below. The address will also be on your invoice/sales receipt.

To make a return or exchange, please print out and complete this form, Returns & Exchanges, send it with the returned/exchanged item(s), and send us an email with the following information:

  • Your name (and the name of purchaser if the item was a gift)
  • Phone number
  • Invoice # or Sales Receipt #
  • Statement of whether you would like an exchange, store credit, or a refund.
In addition,
  • Please launder or clean any used merchandise before returning it.
  • You may send return via: UPS or Fed Ex
  • Insure the package for your protection.
  • Sending dark chocolate with returns expedites the processing ;-)
  • Ship item(s) to:
Kayak Academy RETURNS/Chocolate Dept.
11801 188th Ave SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
USA

    NOTE: Exchanges are limited to stock on hand. If you want to make an exchange, call us before returning your item(s) so we can check our stock for you.

    Lesson Cancellation/Reschedule Policy

    The same policies apply to cancellations and requests to reschedule, both of which make extra work and stress for us. So please do all you can to make your original reservation work. If you request to cancel or reschedule, the following policies are in effect:

    Cancellation or Reschedule 45 days prior to class date - Full refund/credit minus 5% per person fee.

    Cancellation or Reschedule 44-10 days prior to class date. Full refund minus 40% per person fee. The fee will be reduced to 5% if we fill the class.

    Cancellation or Reschedule 9-0 days prior to class date -- no refund or credit is given.

    If at any time the Kayak Academy cancels a lesson, a full refund or reschedule credit will be issued. KA reserves the right to cancel a class at anytime. Cancellations by KA may occur due to insufficient reservations, weather, water flow or safety considerations.

    We recommend trip insurance for our classes. Trip insurance link: TravelGuard.com


    Policy Questions

    If you have questions, please e-mail us at info@kayakacademy.com