By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS — The annual “Just Breathe” disc golf tournament in memory of Ellis resident Bryce Stropes will be held Sunday, July 26, in Ellis Creekside Park, 500 Taylor.

Participants ages 13 and younger will start at 3 p.m.; ages 14 and older will start play at 4 p.m.

Cost is $20 per team of two with sign-up and payment due at the Ellis city swimming pool by July 26. Advanced orders for event T-shirts are $10 and due Monday, July 20. The shirts will also be available for order during the tournament.

The pool will also be open July 26 for free swimming.

All proceeds go to the Ellis swimming pool safety and training equipment fund or “Charlie” training.

A 14-year-old Ellis resident Bryce Stropes, drowned while playing in the city swimming pool July 22, 2010, despite the efforts of lifeguards, an volunteer firefighter who was also at the pool, and EMS personnel. His death was determined to be from shallow water blackout drowning.

Since then, the community has rallied to turn the tragedy into something positive.

A comprehensive education program about shallow water blackout drowning was instituted, pool safety training was improved, and Charlie — a life-size drowning victim simulator — was purchased. Charlie is used in pool rescue training for the lifeguards, emergency personnel and other interested groups.

More information is available at the pool, 301 Taylor, or by calling the pool at (785) 726-3130.