Terms of Responsibility

1. Identification of the Organizer and Scope

This document sets out what you take responsibility for when you register for an Equator Crossing event. It sits alongside the Event Regulation and the Terms & Conditions and does not replace either of them. You confirm acceptance of all three when you book.

2. Nature Of The Event — 4st Edition

2. The Crossing of the Equator 2027 is the 4th edition of the event, with the character of a pilot event. This classification implies, namely: ● All races (Crossing the Equator, Half Distance and Sprint) have timing and personal time recording of the participants. ● This edition does NOT have official arbitration or federative approval (national or international). ● The times and results recorded in this edition are informative and personal reference, and do not constitute an official approved record. ● The organizer aims to achieve official arbitration and federative homologation in future editions, as the event consolidates. ● This information is communicated clearly and visibly in all entry materials, on the website, and in the competition briefing.

3. Registration And Payment

3.1.1 Registration payment:
Registration for the Crossing of the Equator is made by filling out the registration form and making a single and full payment at the time of registration, with no intermediate instalments or phased payments.

3.1.2 Purchase of airline tickets:
We advise that the purchase of airline tickets be made only after official confirmation that the minimum number of participants (10 participants) has been reached.

3.1.3 Minimum number of participants and confirmation:
The organization will communicate on October 25 if the minimum number of participants has been reached. Confirmation will be sent by email and SMS to all registrants.

3.1.4 Cancellation due to lack of participants:
If the minimum number of 10 participants is not reached, the Crossing of the Equator will be canceled and all amounts paid will be refunded in full, without any penalty to the participant

4. Cancellation, Changes And Refunds

In case of withdrawal by the participant, the following conditions apply:

• Cancellations communicated up to 90 days before the start date of the trip: partial refund of the amounts paid, minus the deposit and expenses already incurred with suppliers (hotels, transportation). • Cancellations communicated less than 90 days before the trip: subject to the cancellation conditions of the suppliers (hotel, transportation), and a refund may not be possible. • It is strongly recommended to purchase travel cancellation insurance (see section 5), in order to protect the participant against these situations.

The organizer reserves the right to modify the program, dates, or itinerary due to force majeure, adverse weather conditions, or circumstances beyond its control, and commits to communicating such changes as soon as possible. Cancellation of the trip due to failure to reach the minimum number of participants is governed by section 3.1, and results in a full refund of all amounts paid.

5. Insurance

The price of the travel package does NOT include travel insurance, cancellation insurance, or international medical assistance insurance.

Purchasing travel insurance with medical assistance, cancellation, and civil liability coverage is the sole responsibility of the participant. It is strongly recommended and should ideally be contracted within 48–72 hours after payment of the deposit, in order to guarantee full coverage of the contracted conditions.

The organizer provides personal accident insurance for the swimming activities included in the program (training sessions and races), under the terms required by the legal framework applicable to tourist‑animation activities and maritime‑tourism operations in Portugal (Decree‑Law no. 186/2015, of September 3), when applicable

6. Participation Requirements

• Minimum age to participate in the swimming races: 16 years. Participants aged 16 to 18 must present written consent from a parent or legal guardian. • All participants must have the physical capacity and swimming level appropriate for the distance of the race they register for, and it is their responsibility to correctly assess this suitability. • A prior medical consultation (travel medicine and/or physical fitness evaluation) is recommended before the trip, especially for participants with pre‑existing health conditions. • Any relevant medical condition must be communicated to the organizer before registration, for assessment of suitability.

7. Water Safety

The program includes the following aquatic safety measures:

• Individual support canoe during the Equator Crossing. • Support boats during the main race. • Support boat during all swimming training sessions in the program. • First‑aid and nursing tent on race day. • Accompaniment by a local guide throughout the entire program.

The use of signaling equipment (buoy) is mandatory in all training sessions and races, and may be provided by the organizer upon prior request.
The organizer reserves the right to suspend or postpone any water activity for safety reasons, namely adverse weather or sea conditions, without entitlement to any additional refund beyond what is established in Section 4.

8. Assumption of Risk and Responsibility

Participation in open‑water swimming activities involves risks inherent to sports practice in a natural environment. By registering, the participant declares being aware of these risks and participating of their own free will and under their own responsibility, without entitlement to refund for damages resulting from unforeseen events, force majeure, or negligent behavior by the participant regarding the safety instructions provided.

9. Image Rights

By participating in the event, the participant authorizes the capture and use of their image (photography and video) in promotional materials of Crossing Equator, in digital or printed format, without entitlement to any compensation, unless an explicit objection is communicated in writing to the organizer before the start of the event.

10. Personal Data Protection

The personal data collected during the registration process is processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable national legislation, and is used exclusively for the purposes of event organization, communication, and safety. For more information, please consult the Privacy Policy available on the website

11. Complaints

In accordance with applicable legislation, a complaints book is available in both physical and electronic format. The electronic complaints book can be accessed through the link provided on the event website, in a clearly visible location.

12. Emergency medical assistance

You authorise the organisation to arrange first aid, rescue and transport to a medical facility if that becomes necessary, and you accept the cost of any treatment or transport that your insurance does not cover.

13. Limits of the organisation’s liability

The organisation is responsible for running the event with the safety measures described in the Event Regulation. Within the limits allowed by law, it is not liable for injury, illness, loss or damage that results from a participant's own health, from their decision to enter the water, or from failing to follow safety instructions. Nothing here limits liability that the law does not allow to be limited.

14. Acceptance

Ticking the Terms of Responsibility box during booking has the same effect as signing this document. The organisation records the acceptance together with your registration.

Questions before you accept: info@equatorcrossing.com.