The Brent Rice Memorial Swim of the Sound was started in
2006 by 17 year old Justin Moser, who wanted to honor his
friend and mentor Brent Rice who passed away in may of 2004
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.
Justin, acompanied by three of Brent's brothers and fourth others
who all knew Brent, made the first 2.3 mile journey across
Puget Sound. Starting at the Des Moines Beach Park and
finishing at Point Robinson on Maury Island.
Over the past five swims, athletes, sponsors, and donnors have
helped raise over $10,000 for the Brent Rice Memorial Foundation
which was established in 2009. The foundation will provide swim
scholarships as well as provide funding for aquatic safety programs
at swimming pools in the Puget Sound Area.
The swim is a 2.3 mile open water swim in fifty degree water, from the Des Moines Beach Park to Point Robinson on Maury Island. The swim has grown from eight swimmers the first year, to as many as fifty swimmers in 2010. The swim is run by volunteers, lifeguards, Des Moines Fire Department, Browns Point Fire Department, Normandy Park & Burien Fire Department and the US Coast Guard.
Swimmers who want to participate must be intermediate or advanced; although this is a fun event and for a great cause, the sound is very treacherous. Donors, sponsors, athletes and volunteers who are interested can get more information on our website The date of the 6th anuual open water swim is Saturday August 20, 2011.
History of the Swim
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