Besides battling fatigue and the chill from 50-degree water, Justin Moser may have to watch out for bears while swimming the 2.3 miles between Des Moines and Maury Island on Aug. 25.

The route for the second annual Brent Rice Memorial Swim of the Sound between Des Moines Beach Park and Point Robinson is similar to one taken by a wayward bear recently.

Except the bear reversed the course, starting from the island and wading ashore a bit south at Saltwater State Park. The bruin trekked to Federal Way before being captured and returned to the wild.

Moser has about 25 fellow swimmers signed up for the two-mile "dash" so far but is hoping for about 60.

Volunteer lifeguards, South King Fire & Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard will supervise the swim, which is set to begin about 10 a.m.

Registration is open until Wednesday, Aug. 15, at www.BRMSOS.com. Moser will also accept donations to the Brent Rice Memorial Scholarship Fund through the end of September.

Funds raised by sponsors, athlete fees and donations will go toward providing swim lessons for low-income families at Mt. Rainier Pool in Des Moines and for water safety education.

Moser describes Rice as a "coach, mentor and friend."

The 18-year-old Moser first met Rice when he was 11 years old. Rice was his coach and later helped get him hired as a lifeguard at Angle Lake Park in SeaTac.

"He was always there for me," Moser noted.

An All-American swimmer at Mt. Rainier and Whitworth College in Spokane, Rice made the cross-sound swim on a personal challenge from his brother.

Rice died May 29, 2004, in a single-car accident in Yuma, Ariz.

Two years ago, Moser formed the foundation and organized the first cross-sound swim in Rice's honor, which was held in 2006. Eight other swimmers joined him as they raised over $1,000.

This year, Moser is aiming to raise $5,000.

Like his mentor, Moser has accomplished a lot at a young age.

Last month, he was awarded a lifesaver's award at a SeaTac City Council meeting for his part as a lifeguard in saving a girl who was drowning in Angle Lake.

He has also formed his own company-Reel Focus Films. His first movie followed the Mt. Rainier swim team for a season in which he was the team captain.

Fittingly, Moser plans to enroll in the film program at The Evergreen State College in Olympia after completing his associate arts degree at Des Moines' Highline Community College in January.