On Aug. 20th, swimmers don wetsuits and brave cold waters to swim 2.3 miles across Puget Sound. The waters from the Des Moines Beach Park to Point Robinson on Maury Island are a chilling fifty degrees Fahrenheit, but swimmers keep coming back for more.

Not only are the swimmers racing across for themselves, they are contributing to the Brent Rice Memorial Foundation. After much debate with the USCG and with the support from the swim's boating Director Del Rivero & South King Fire & Rescue, the swim was approved for a Marine Event Permit with some new restrictions.

These new restrictions require more safety boats and more safety equipment on the water. The foundation cannot provide these items if they do not have support from the community.

They have also been told that South King & Fire was denied funding to help support the event and is now needing $900 more in funds to cover them being present, which is a key piece to the event.

The Foundation in asking all of you to do at least 2 of the following things:
1) Register to swim today! (Deadline is Aug. 10th)
2) Recruit more swimmers to register!
3) Donate to the foundation online at http://www.active.com/donate/brmsos11
4) Recruit a support boat or support kayaker!
5) Recruit a volunteer!

"If we are unable to meet the United States Coast Guard's restrictions and show there is a need for this event to happen every year, then I cannot guarantee that this event will continue to happen after this year. Please help support our swim and foundation in any way you can, so that we can continue to provide swim scholarships throughout the community."

The Brent Rice Memorial Foundation was founded in 2006 to honor Brent Rice, provide swim lessons for low-income families, and to help fund aquatic safety throughout the Puget Sound area.

The swim was started in 2006 by 17-year-old Justin Moser, who wanted to honor his friend and mentor Brent Rice who passed away six years ago in a car accident. Brent Rice once did the swim himself as a personal challenge from one of his brothers. Brent Rice was a local swimmer, where he competed at both the state and national level, receiving All-American honors.

With the help of sponsors, donors and athlete contributions, they have raised just over $10,000 from the past five swims. The goal is to raise $20,000 this year, which can provide more than two thousand swim lessons for children in the Puget Sound area. The help of volunteers, US Coast Guard, South King and other various fire departments runs the swim.

The Brent Rice Memorial Swim of the Sound is one of the few events where swimmers cross Puget Sound and it is sure to grow as such a unique event.

For more information on swimming, volunteering or donating, go to www.brmsos.com. For more information, call 206-491-4738 or email Justin@brmsos.com.