Privacy Policy

**Effective Date: July 27, 2025**

Foil Life Podcast, owned by Downwinder Watersports and based in Ontario, Canada, operates www.foillifepodcast.com to provide podcast episodes, blog articles, gear reviews, event promotions (e.g., Ottawa wing foil demo days), and booking facilitation for instruction-only foiling camps and lessons (e.g., in locations like Maui, Tarifa, France, Hood River, Argentina, Germany). We act as a platform, similar to Airbnb, connecting clients with third-party providers (e.g., foiling schools, camp operators) for instructional services only. These services are limited exclusively to foiling instruction, equipment provision (where applicable), and related safety measures during the instructional sessions. We do not facilitate, book, or handle any aspects of travel services, including but not limited to accommodations, transportation, or any bundled packages. Clients are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodations, transportation, visas, and any other travel-related elements directly with third-party providers (e.g., hotels, airlines) or as needed. We are committed to protecting your privacy under Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Ontario laws. This Privacy Policy outlines our minimal data collection practices, which occur only when necessary to facilitate bookings for instruction-only services. We are not a Travel Retailer or Travel Wholesaler under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (Ontario), as we do not sell, facilitate, or advise on travel services as defined therein.

1. Information We Collect
We do not collect or store personal information except when you purchase an instruction-only lesson, camp, or similar service, in which case we collect only the minimum data required to transmit to the third-party provider (e.g., foiling school or camp operator). Information includes:
- **For Bookings**: Name, email address, phone number, and payment details (processed via Stripe or PayPal) to confirm instruction-only lessons or camps (e.g., Maui wave riding clinic, Tarifa wingfoil camp). We do not store credit card information on our website; all sensitive payment data is handled directly by Stripe or PayPal.
- **Non-Personal Information**: IP addresses, browser types, device information, or usage data (e.g., pages visited) may be passively collected by third-party tools (e.g., Google Analytics, YouTube embeds for podcast episodes) for site functionality and analytics.
- **Other Services**: For podcast access (via Spotify, YouTube embeds), blog/gear reviews, or general inquiries (e.g., /contact form, voice messages), we do not collect or retain personal information unless you initiate a booking.

Data is collected only via:
- Booking forms or inquiries for instruction-only camps/lessons.
- Secure payment processors (Stripe or PayPal) for transactions related to instruction fees only.
- Third-party embeds (e.g., podcast platforms) that may set cookies.

2. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information solely to:
- Facilitate bookings by transmitting your details to the relevant provider (e.g., school for Tarifa camp) for the instruction-only services.
- Process payments via Stripe or PayPal for instruction fees only and remit to providers (minus our fee).
- Communicate booking confirmations or updates related to the instruction.
- Improve our website (using anonymized analytics).

We do not store, use, or share your information for any other purpose, including marketing, unless you explicitly opt in (e.g., for newsletters). We do not use or share information related to any client-arranged travel.

3. Disclosure of Your Information
Personal information collected for bookings is shared only with:
- The third-party provider (e.g., foiling school, camp operator) to fulfill the instruction-only lesson or camp.
- Payment processors (Stripe or PayPal) to complete transactions (we do not store credit card information; Stripe/PayPal handle PCI compliance and data security).
- As required by law (e.g., subpoenas, tax compliance under Ontario/Canadian regulations).

Providers and payment processors are responsible for their own data handling, and their privacy policies apply once your information is transmitted. Their practices comply with PIPEDA-equivalent standards. We do not disclose information related to any client-arranged travel.

4. Cookies and Third-Party Services
Our site uses cookies or tracking technologies (e.g., Google Analytics, YouTube/Spotify embeds) for functionality and analytics. These may collect non-personal data (e.g., IP addresses, page views). Third-party platforms (e.g., podcast hosts, sponsor links like ON Kiteboarding, Stripe/PayPal) have their own privacy policies. Manage cookies via your browser settings, noting this may impact site functionality.

5. Data Security
We use reasonable safeguards (e.g., encryption, secure payment processors like Stripe/PayPal) to protect any personal information during transmission to providers. We do not retain personal data after it is shared with the provider, except as required for legal purposes (e.g., tax records for 7 years under Canadian law). Stripe and PayPal provide additional security for payment processing.

6. Retention
Booking-related data is retained only as long as necessary to complete the transaction and comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax requirements). Non-personal analytics data may be kept indefinitely in anonymized form.

7. Your Rights Under PIPEDA
You have the right to:
- Access, correct, or request deletion of any personal information we hold (if any).
- Withdraw consent for data sharing (subject to booking obligations).
- File a complaint with us or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Contact us at info@foillifepodcast.com for requests.

8. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data.

9. International Transfers
For instruction in global locations (e.g., Maui, Tarifa), booking information is shared with providers in their respective jurisdictions (e.g., USA, Spain). We ensure compliance with PIPEDA for cross-border transfers. Providers’ local laws may apply. We do not handle or transfer data related to any client-arranged travel.

10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy; changes will be posted here. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance.

For questions, contact: Downwinder Watersports / Foil Life Podcast, info@foillifepodcast.com