Open Swim

Open Swim:
Swimming in a deep, refreshing natural quarry, also known as Open Swim is tentatively scheduled to begin the 2021 season on May 28, 2021.

Although the full schedule is still being decided upon, the 2021 schedule should be similar to the 2020 schedule with The Quarry open daily from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM, plus select evenings from 3:45 PM until Sunset, subject to capacity limitations for safe social distancing.

As we all adapt to navigate the "new abnormal" we have implemented measures designed to keep you and your family safe and allow you to enjoy your visit to the farm more. This year we are asking every guest to have an advance reservation. The reservation portal is anticipated to be open in early May.

For the 2021 open swim season the Quarry Kitchen Restaurant will again serve farm fresh favorites like the "Quarry Burger", grilled chicken sandwiches, scratch made pizza, fresh salads, fruit cups, ice cream and snow cones, as well as fresh items that change daily. Beer and wine are also available for purchase. Please note that in 2021, no outside food or beverages may be brought in to The Quarry.

Coronavirus Safety Measures:
Carrigan Farms has implemented changes in response to the coronavirus that we plan to continue as long as needed.

First, overall attendance is limited to provide more room for "social distancing" between family units / groups. Currently, the maximum allowable size of any single family unit / group is ten people. As we progress through the phases of the re-opening plan, more attendance capacity may be added. In order to facilitate an attendance limit, we request that each group make an advance reservation online and pay $5 deposit per person; in exchange for this online reservation deposit, each reserved guest will receive a $5 dining voucher to use at the Quarry Kitchen on the date and time of their visit for food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Second, we are asking that each group "social distance" from other family units / family groups. Also, when you choose where to set out your chairs and towels, keep a small footprint and take up just the room that you need.

Third, do not visit the farm if anyone in your family is feeling sick or has recently had contact with someone who was sick or symptomatic of the coronavirus. Those with underlying health conditions are also discouraged from attending at this time. Take comfort in the fact that we have two registered nurses at the farm, one of whom is usually at open swim on any given day, should first aid be needed.

And lastly, be patient, kind and courteous of each other. The Farm and Quarry are a place to relax and enjoy outdoor recreation. It is possible to do this in accordance with safety guidelines but it requires everyone's participation. We at Carrigan Farms value your safety above everything else. It is at the forefront of every practice we implement, from lifeguards on duty at all times, to our swim test and life-vest policy, and now to our re-opening plan. We don't take the designation of being an essential business lightly and we will be striving to keep everyone safe during their visit. Just as in previous years, our swim test policy and waiver requirements are still in effect.

Unfortunately, due to the high transmissibility of the coronavirus, we can not guarantee that it is not present at any given time. Please also note that if the Iredell County Health Department requests our visitor log that includes your name and contact information, on any given day, for the purpose of contact tracing of the coronavirus, we would be obliged to comply; however, aside from that, we keep your contact information private.

Masks and Face Coverings:
Pursuant to Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order number 147, dated June 24, 2020, requiring face coverings where social distancing of six feet or more is not possible, Carrigan Farms LLC requests your cooperation in complying with this new mandate beginning with open swim events scheduled for June 27, 2020 and beyond, as long as this Executive Order is in effect.

What this means for you and how it impacts your visit:

We are currently asking all patrons to have an advance reservation. Group size is limited to ten people. Capacity is limited to allow for greater than six feet of social distancing between individuals.

In Executive Order number 147, Our Governor has stated that:

“WHEREAS, face coverings can decrease the spread of respiratory droplets from people, 
and evidence has grown, showing in numerous recent studies that the use of face coverings 
decreases the spread of COVID-19 within populations; and”

Our Governor has also stated that:

“WHEREAS, some people have medical or behavioral health issues, disabilities, or other 
reasons that mean they should be excepted from wearing a face covering, and this Executive 
Order puts North Carolinians on the honor system to identify if they are within one of the 
exceptions to face covering requirements and should not wear a mask;"

"C. Exceptions. This Executive Order does not require Face Coverings for-and a Face Covering 
does not need to be worn by-a worker, customer, or patron who:

- Should not wear a Face Covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or 
disability (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, 
or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove 
the face covering without assistance)
- Is under eleven ( 11) years of age;
- Is actively eating or drinking;
- Is strenuously exercising;
- Is seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that 
requires the mouth to be visible;
- Is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience;
- Is working at home or is in a personal vehicle;
- Is temporarily removing his or her Face Covering to secure government or medical 
services or for identification purposes;
- Would be at risk from wearing a Face Covering at work, as determined by local, 
state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines;Has found that his 
or her Face Covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle; or
Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place 
the Face Covering safely on the child's face.”

Carrigan Farms LLC is asking all guests who are not strenuously exercising, are within six feet of another individual not in their group, and who are able to wear a face covering, to please do so. However, face masks should not be used while swimming. Our large outdoor facility and reduced capacity do allow for appropriate social distancing; however, the Executive Order, Dated June 24, 2020, asks all to do their part to lower the spread of coronavirus.

It is important to understand that there is inherent risk that an individual, or parent/guardian of a child, assumes when swimming in open water. There is also inherent risk that an individual, or parent/guardian of a child, assumes when choosing to participate in an activity that places that individual in proximity to others who could spread a virus through aerosolized respiratory droplets or through other means. You are assuming the risk associated with your or your child’s participation in the activities at Carrigan Farms LLC.

Our lifeguards on duty are exempt from wearing face coverings based on their job description and role, as are swimmers. This means that lifeguards actively watching the water or working by the water are exempt to keep our customers safe. Swimmers are also exempt due to the strenuous exercise it takes to swim and keep yourself safe in the quarry.

As we all try to approach this pandemic with common sense and evidence-based guidelines, we ask your support in helping to keep everyone safe while continuing to enjoy swimming in the quarry, the summer sun, and outdoor recreation. Please assist us in working to keep the citizens of North Carolina safe and well.

Online Reservation Details:
Guests who reserve in advance pay a $5 per person deposit at the time of reservation, then, upon arrival on the day of their visit, receive a $5 dining voucher to use at the Quarry Kitchen that day. The remaining portion of admission is due when reserved guests arrive at the farm. Note that cash or paper check are the only forms of payment accepted at the door. The reservation window to book, modify, or cancel a reservation stays open until 24 hours before the start time of any given open swim. After that time the reservation window closes and the $5 per person deposit becomes non-refundable. Please also note that walk-in customers will be limited to any remaining availability and will not receive a $5 dining voucher.

Swim Tests and Safety Information:
Lifeguards are on duty during open swim. Additionally, all persons entering the water must wear a life-vest unless they have taken and passed our swim test and a person must be twelve years old or older to take the swim test. Children ages eleven and under are required to wear a life-vest at all times while swimming in the quarry. Life-vests are provided or you may bring your own. Children that are under four years old or weigh less than thirty pounds are not advised to swim in the quarry. Our smallest life-vests are designed for children weighing thirty pounds or more.

Persons ages twelve and above (including adults) are eligible to take the swim test. The swim test assesses endurance, treading, quality of stroke, and level of comfort in the water, among other attributes. The swim test is graded by lifeguards and their decision is final. Re-testing is not permitted on the same day; however, if someone does not pass, they may re-test on a subsequent day. When taking the swim test, please demonstrate your best swimming. A grade of PASS on the swim test means that person may elect to swim without a life-vest in the quarry. Those persons who do not want to take the swim test, or who do not pass the swim test, will have to wear a life-vest at all times while swimming in the quarry. The swim test includes, but is not limited to, jumping into the quarry, swimming, and treading water. Regardless of performance on the swim test, all swimming remains at your own risk. All swimming is at your own risk. The water is 25 feet deep.

Waiver:
ALL entrants to the quarry are required to have a signed waiver prior to entry. Children must have a parent or guardian complete their waiver. Click here to access the waiver. You will receive a confirmation upon completion. Bring this with you to enter.

What To Bring and What to Expect:
Bring your completed waiver confirmation; this is a QR code that will be emailed to you right after you fill out your waiver online. Also, be sure to bring a towel, sunblock, swim suit, water shoes (tevas, crocs, chacos, or flip flops that can get wet, etc), sunglasses, hat, blanket or chair in a bag. There is also a covered pavilion with seating. The pavilion is furnished with tables and chairs, spaced for "social distancing."

Food Options for Purchase:
Our Quarry Kitchen is open daily serving delicious fresh favorites such as fresh fruit cups, salads, grilled hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, pizza french fries, slushies and snowballs. Non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine are also served out of our Quarry Kitchen. Please note that you may not bring any outside food or beverage to the quarry.

Fishing:
Open swim customers, who bring their own fishing gear, are also permitted to enjoy catch-and-release fishing at our two farm ponds during open swim. The ponds have bass, bream and crappie. Fishing is not permitted in The Quarry, or at non-open swim times. All fishing is catch-and-release, meaning that the fish cannot be taken home and must be returned to the pond.

Directions:
Open swim guests should enter at the Carrigan Farms West Entrance to get to the quarry. The address for GPS purposes is 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville NC 28115.

What NOT to Bring:
No outside food or beverage may be brought to open swim. Please don't bring pets: dogs, cats, baby goats, etc. Also, please don't bring large rafts, paddle boards, kayaks or boats.

Weather/Rain:
Summer weather forecasts often include a chance of rain. We will be open rain or shine unless otherwise noted on this page of our website, so there is no need to call and ask if we are open or not due to weather. If we close for rain, we will update that information on this page. Therefore, if it is not listed as “closed for rain” then we are open on the dates and times listed. Note: we do not offer rain checks, this means if we close early for rain, we will not offer refunds or passes for another day.