FARM POOL RULES
The Farm Pools have always been a safe and happy place for everyone, especially children. The following pool rules have been developed over the years to ensure the safety of all swimmers.
SAFETY and LIFEGUARD RESPONSIBILITIES: Lifeguards are expected to enforce pool rules in a friendly manner. The guards want everyone to have fun at the pool, but it is their responsibility to prevent accidents and dangerous situations. Failure to follow these rules distracts lifeguards from the primary duty of monitoring swimmers and rescue if necessary. Lifeguards have full discretion to interpret these rules to ensure safety.
ACCESS TO FARM POOLS: The Farm Pools are available for all Farm Members during summer pool hours. All swimmers must check in at the pool desk.
THUNDER/LIGHTNING POLICY: In the event of thunder being heard or lightning seen by a lifeguard at the pool, the pool will be closed for a minimum of thirty minutes following the last bolt seen or close/loud thunder heard. The reopening of the pool will be decided by the Pool Supervisor and/or head lifeguard when they assess that the weather is no longer threatening. Under severe weather conditions, members are requested to clear the pool deck quickly and follow the instructions of the Pool Supervisor or head guard. These instructions may include entering the pool houses or requesting that all members seek shelter in their cars, or leave the facility altogether. Lifeguards have full discretion to interpret these rules to ensure safety.
GUESTS: Guests are also welcome to use the pools provided they are accompanied by a sponsoring member. The sponsoring member’s account will be charged $10 for attendance per day per guest on their Farm account. No cash is accepted at the front desk. Sponsoring members must identify the number of guests and provide their names at the pool check-in desk. Sponsoring members must call the pool desk at (919)968-7644 before coming to the pool if they plan to bring more than 5 guests. Sponsoring members are responsible for ensuring that all guests are informed of and follow Farm pool rules.
DIAPER POLICY: Accidents in the pool are a major inconvenience and can result in a 24-hour pool closure. Permanent swim diapers are required for non-toilet trained children using Farm pools. All members and guests are responsible for checking diapers and reminding children to use the bathroom frequently. Members and guests must remove children under six years old during 10-minute breaks which may be announced by the lifeguards every hour. Members and guests should encourage their children to use the bathroom during these breaks. Farm management reserves the right to suspend member and/or guest use of the pool after two fecal incidents in one summer by a child under their care.
FOOD and BEVERAGE POLICY: Members and guests are welcome to bring food and beverages to The Farm pools, and use the tables, chairs, and other deck areas for meals. Glass containers of any type are not allowed on the pool decks or in the water. No food or drink consumption is allowed in The Farm pools, including by those seated on the edge of pools.
ALCOHOL POLICY: Alcohol may be consumed privately at the pool by members and guests, provided they follow all the rules outlined in the “Food and Beverage Policy” above. Alcoholic beverages may be brought by members or guests. Members are responsible for ensuring its removal from the pool upon leaving. No alcohol may be sold at The Farm pools. Members may not serve alcohol to anyone under 21 or is visibly intoxicated. The Farm is not responsible for any injury that may occur as a result of alcohol being served by members or their guests at The Farm pools. Glass containers of any type are not allowed on the pool decks or in the water.
TOBACCO and SMOKING POLICY: The Farm follows the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Smoking Cessation Policy. Smoking, including use of vaporizing technology, is forbidden anywhere on the premises, including cars in the parking areas. The Farm also forbids the use of chewing tobacco on the premises.
PARTIES: Members are welcome to use The Farm Pools to host parties of fewer than 25 guests. No parties will be held between the hours of 2-5 p.m. on weekends, and no more than one party of more than 10 people may be held simultaneously. Sponsoring members must email our Farm Pool Supevisor, Jeff Lucas at [email protected] beforehand if planning a pool party to be sure there is space. Sponsoring members are responsible for the behavior of their guests. Alcohol consumption at parties must follow all the rules outlined under “Alcohol Policy” above.
BADGE TEST: Children (eight and under) of members and guests must obtain a Farm badge in order to swim unaccompanied by an adult in the deeper sections of the pool. The badge test must be done with the pool supervisor or a head guard. The badge test consists of doing 10 bobs, floating on front and back, treading water for one minute, and accomplishing a 15-minute swim with a recognized stroke.
POOL DECK RULES: Sitting areas on the pool decks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Walking: All members and guests within the pool area fences must walk at all times – running is never permitted on the pool decks.
Profanity: Foul and abusive language on the pool decks will not be tolerated.
Footwear: Bare feet and shoes/sandals are allowed on the pool deck. Swim flippers may not be worn on the pool decks.
Behavior: No horseplay (wrestling, pushing, swinging pool toys, etc.) is allowed on the pool desks. Lifeguards have full discretion to stop any behavior they interpret as horseplay or otherwise presents a safety risk.
Glass containers of any type are not allowed on the pool decks.
SWIMMING/IN-POOL RULES: All swimmers must take a soap shower before entering the pool water.
Children: Unaccompanied children without badges must remain in the shallow area of the upper pool and behind the depth divider rope in the shallow end of the lower pool, unless with an adult. Children in water wings, in inner tubes, or on floats must always be within arm’s reach of a parent or adult. Members and guests are responsible for ensuring that older children are conscientious of smaller children and infants when playing in the pool—especially in the shallow end.
Attire: Proper swimming attire must be worn while using the swimming pools.
Entering water: Swimmers must enter water from the side, facing forward – no flips, spins, back dives, or can-openers. Swimmers must take only one step when entering pool; running entries are not allowed.
Behavior: No horseplay (wrestling, pushing, swinging pool toys, etc.) is allowed in the pool. Swimmers must not hang or play on ropes or lane dividers, or rest their feet and legs on the deck while their bodies are in the water. Swimmers may not crawl under, through, or over any railing in the pool. Lifeguards have full discretion to stop any behavior they interpret as horseplay or otherwise presents a safety risk.
Floats, Kickboards: No rafts or large floats (larger than 4 square feet) are permitted in the pool except at sanctioned events. Kickboards are permitted only in lap lanes and in the shallow end of the upper pool, not in the 7 or 5 ft. sections. Standing on kickboards is never allowed in the pool. On crowded days, floats and kickboards may be removed from the pool.
Pool Toys/Balls: Pool toys and soft balls (i.e. no leather footballs or high-pressure inflated balls) may be, provided they are not misused or disruptive to other swimmers. Prohibited toys and balls include: plastic squirt guns, tennis balls, nerf or leather footballs, baseballs, and any other hard object that could pose a safety risk if thrown. Lifeguards have full discretion to prohibit the use of any toy they deem a safety risk.
Lifeguard interaction: All members and guests should refrain from talking to lifeguards on duty unless in an emergency.
Profanity: Profanity in Farm pools will not be tolerated.
Behavior: No horseplay (wrestling, pushing, swinging pool toys, etc.) is allowed in the pools. Lifeguards have full discretion to stop any behavior they interpret as horseplay or otherwise presents a safety risk.
Food and Drink: There is no eating or drinking (besides water) allowed in the pools. Glass containers of any type are not allowed in the pools. No gum is allowed in the pool.
DIVING BOARDS and SLIDE RULES: All users of the diving boards and the slide must meet the requirements and follow all the rules in the swimming and in-pool rules above unless an exception applies.
Diving/Slide Area of Pool: No free swimming in diving area is allowed while the boards are open. Divers should immediately swim to the side of the pool closest to the diving board used, and climb out using the ladder. Swimmers are not allowed to swim out of the diving area into another section of the pool, unless they are swimming to the 7-foot free swim area in front of the diving boards.
Children: Children without badges may not use the diving board or slide. Parents may not enter the water under the boards or slide to meet their children after use.
3-Meter-High Dive: Waivers must be signed by officially recognized custodians (parents/guardians) for all users of the high dive under the age of 18. Members cannot sign a waiver for guest children. Children under eight years old must have a badge to go off the high dive.
Access: Only one person may be on the ladder or steps to a diving board or slide at a time. Do not climb the stairs until the person before you has left the board. Do not go off a board or the slide until the person before you is at the side of the pool. No swinging on rails is allowed while on the boards themselves or on board and slide access stairs.
Attire: Proper swimming attire must be worn while using diving boards and the slide. No goggles may be worn while using the boards or slide.
Prohibited Jumps/Dives: No inward, cutaway, or suicide dives are allowed (unless authorized, or receiving diving instruction). No back jumps are allowed off the boards outside of dive class.
On Board Behavior: Only one bounce is allowed on diving boards (unless receiving diving instruction). No swinging on rails is allowed while on boards. Swimmers are not allowed to throw toys or objects of any kind to people on or going off the diving boards.
Slide Use/Behavior: The slide is to be used in a front-oriented seated position throughout descent and contact with the water. No flipping, diving or twisting is allowed at the end of the slide. Swimmers are not allowed to throw toys or objects of any kind to people on or going off the slide. Swimmers are not allowed to stop on the slide or climb up the sliding surface.
· Lower Pool Slide Rules:
1. All riders must slide feet first.
2. Non-swimmers may not use the slide.
3. Farm badges are required for all members 8 years of age and under. Non-members 8 years of age and under must show swimming proficiency before using slide.
4. One rider per tube at a time.
5. Middle flume riders must swim out and to the side to access a ladder.
6. Do not swim in front of other flumes.
7. No riders over 250 pounds.
8. No eyewear, hats, or flotation devices may be worn on the slide.
9. Do not use the slide if any part of the slide becomes damaged, weakened, or broken.
10. Only people healthy enough for water activities should use the slide. Persons with medical conditions, including pregnancy, should consult their doctor before using the slide. Persons with physical disabilities should use caution and may require assistance.
LAP LANE RULES: Please use these lanes efficiently, especially when others are waiting for lap lanes. The lifeguards will do their best to maintain the integrity of the lap lanes by monitoring activities in them and ensuring all rules below are followed. No swimming through or under lap lanes is allowed at The Farm Pools.
Children: Children may use the lap lanes as long as they meet all requirements for swimming listed above (badge tested, etc.) and are participating in the sanctioned activities listed below.
Access: The normal capacity for lap lanes is two swimmers. Members can sign up for lap lanes on their CourtReserve account.
Lap Lane Use: The lap lanes are for lap swimming, water jogging, and Farm staff swimming instruction only. (Swim instructors will not teach lessons during peak lap swimming hours or when others are waiting to use the lap lanes). Lanes can be used for circle swimming as long as all users agree to circle swim.
STOLEN PROPERTY LIABILITY: The Farm is not responsible for any lost or stolen items left in rental spaces, the pool and deck areas, fitness rooms, restrooms, the Reznick building, or in the parking areas. Members and their guests should not leave valuable possessions in open spaces, and assume all responsibility for their safekeeping. Farm members should take precautions against theft, including locking vehicles in the parking areas.