Austin Duo Brave Sharks and Sea Monsters for Vets

Two days ago, Austinites David Broyles and Rush Vann successfully completed a 12.5-mile swim across the Strait of Gibralter, from the Spanish coast to Morocco. The extraordinary feat took just under five hours.

In the days leading up to the final crossing, the two were unsure as to whether water and weather conditions would hinder their attempt -- a July 15th journal entry on the official site tells of formidable wind and waves, the former gusting over 30 knots and the latter swelling over 7 feet. Despite heavy waves and cold water, Broyles and Vann set out a few days later, becoming the 16th and 17th Americans to make this journey.

The event was a charity fundraiser for Salute America's Heroes, a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation chartered with providing support programs for veterans wounded and disabled during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. As of June 2006, this means nearly 19,000 US troops.

All told, Broyles and Vann have managed to raise over $53,000. It's an impressive number, but still short of their hoped-for $100,000 figure. You can still donate at the link below, or mail stuff to:

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
c/o David Broyles
3704 Rivercrest Dr.
Austin, TX 78746

[Donation Page for Swim the Strait 06]

[Swim the Strait on Myspace!]

Congrats, guys!

Photo from firstgiving.com donation page