Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Effective date: May 6, 2026

1. Introduction

Venture Sessions Incorporated ("Venture Sessions," "we," "us," or "our") operates the Venture Sessions iOS application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your information.

By using the App, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you create an account and use the App, you provide:

  • Account identifiers: phone number (used for SMS one-time-passcode sign-in via Twilio Verify) or Apple ID (via Sign in with Apple), and email address.
  • Profile information: name, profile photo, location, home break, bio, surf stance, favorite board, and optional body metrics.
  • Account type: Surfer, Coach / Instructor / Guide, or Business account designation.
  • Venture Sessions Rating (VSR) responses: your answers to the post-signup skill quiz and any retake submissions.
  • User-generated content: posts, comments, photos, session listings (for coaches and businesses), board listings, board inquiries, session reviews, and progression reviews.
  • Board data: surfboard specifications (dimensions, volume, brand, model, notes) and photos you upload to your quiver or the marketplace.
  • Communications: messages and inquiries sent through the App.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Device information: device model, operating system version, and App version.
  • Usage data: features accessed, actions taken, and session activity within the App.
  • Crash and performance data: diagnostic information used to monitor App stability and fix bugs.
  • Push notification tokens: when you enable notifications through Apple Push Notification Service (APNs).
  • Approximate location: if you choose to use your current location during onboarding, the App may request one-time access to your device location to estimate your general surf area. We may save the resulting area label and an approximate, coarsened coordinate for personalization.

2.3 Information We Do Not Collect

  • Payment information. The App does not process in-app payments and does not collect or store payment details such as credit card or bank account information. Session bookings are reservation requests only — any payment for a session is arranged directly between the coach and the surfer outside the App.
  • Continuous or background location. The App does not continuously track your location, collect background location, or store your precise device location history. You can also provide or edit your location manually instead of using current location access.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Create and manage your account and authenticate you on sign-in.
  • Calculate and display your VSR rating and level.
  • Show you relevant sessions, coaches, and boards based on your stated level and location preferences.
  • Allow coaches to log session reviews and progression reviews tied to your bookings.
  • Allow you to list, browse, and inquire about boards on the marketplace.
  • Deliver in-app and push notifications for bookings, post interactions, and board inquiries.
  • Review user-generated posts, comments, and uploaded photos with automated moderation tools to help detect prohibited, unsafe, or abusive content before publication.
  • Monitor App performance, diagnose errors, and prevent abuse.
  • Respond to support requests and communicate service updates.

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Other Users

Some profile and activity information is visible to other users of the App, including your name, profile photo, bio, location, VSR rating, posts, comments, board listings, session listings (if you are a coach or business), and session reviews you are associated with. Private progression reviews are shared only between the coach and the surfer on a specific booking.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate the App. These providers process data on our behalf under contractual privacy obligations:

  • Supabase — database, authentication, storage, and realtime services (hosted in the us-west-2 region).
  • Apple — Sign in with Apple authentication, Apple Push Notification Service (APNs), and App Store distribution.
  • Twilio — SMS delivery for phone-number one-time-passcode authentication.
  • OpenAI — automated content moderation for user-generated text and images before they appear in community features.
  • Analytics and error-monitoring tools used by our developer for performance tracking, debugging, and ongoing support.

4.3 With Administrators and Coaches

Designated App administrators can review user accounts, moderate content, manage roles, and oversee bookings. Coaches you book with can view booking-related profile information and can log session reviews visible to you.

4.4 Legal Compliance

We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or valid legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Venture Sessions, our users, or the public.

4.5 Business Transfers

If Venture Sessions is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4.6 Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell your personal information.

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard security measures — including encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS), row-level security policies on our database, and access controls — to protect your information. No system is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the App. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it for legal, accounting, or security purposes.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You can:

  • Edit your profile at any time through the App's Settings screen.
  • Retake the VSR quiz to update your rating.
  • Request account deletion by contacting us (see Section 11). Account deletion will remove your profile, posts, comments, boards, listings, and reviews you authored, subject to legal retention requirements.
  • Control push notifications through your device's iOS Settings.
  • Control location access through your device's iOS Settings and by choosing whether to use current location during onboarding.
  • Request a copy of your data by contacting us.

Residents of certain jurisdictions (including California and the EU/EEA) may have additional rights under applicable law, including rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict the processing of personal information, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. To exercise these rights, contact us at the address in Section 11.

8. Children's Privacy

The App is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

9. International Users

The App and its backend services are operated from the United States. If you access the App from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the App or via the email address associated with your account. The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy reflects the most recent revision.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your rights, contact us at:

Venture Sessions Incorporated

Email: team@venturesessions.com

Mailing address: 59-366 Pupukea Road Haleiwa, HI 96712