The Foundation History
On July 20, 2013, Joshua Lee Carr, a resident of Hamilton, Virginia, lost his life while swimming in the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Josh had entered the water at Sandy Hook, Maryland.
Swimming and boating are popular sports at this stretch of the Potomac River. In July 2013, there were no warning signs at any of the entrances to the river.
But the river at this stretch, where the Potomac and Shenandoah converge, is deceptively dangerous. The surface appears calm and inviting. Less than 10 feet below the surface, hidden from view, lies a swift-moving 35 knot current. Swimmers who are not wearing safety gear, and who venture too far from shore, have little chance of survival if they are caught in the current. Josh Carr swam too far, and lost his life within minutes.
The Joshua Lee Carr River Safety Foundation was established by the friends and family of Josh Carr with the goal of eliminating tragic swimming and boating accidents in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, and in Loudoun County, Virginia’s many creeks and streams. The Foundation is working to install signs along the river that caution swimmers and boaters to always wear life jackets. The Foundation also provides financial support to local Swift Water Rescue teams. We provide educational outreach to schools, churches, and Scouting organizations.