COEUR d'ALENE - Putting on an event for the first time can be a little nerve-wracking.

Things could go wrong, after all. Worse yet, people might not even show.

So last year at this time, organizers behind the then-inaugural Coeur d'Alene Crossing looked at their registration list and felt that seed of doubt starting to creep in.

The 2.4-mile open water swim across Lake Coeur d'Alene was supposed to be billed as a race that will one day soon rival the popularity of the ever popular Long Bride Swim in Sandpoint.

"Last year at this time we had nine people," said Robert Cliff, Coeur d'Alene Crossing board member, remembering the puny number of people who had committed. "That was when we were in full panic mode."

What a difference a day makes. Or in this case, 365 of them. Already, 105 swimmers have signed up for this year's event, while organizers are expecting up to 225 by race day, Sunday, Aug. 18.

Not that last year's race turned out to be a bust - not by any stretch. Around 130 swimmers ended up crossing the lake, starting at Arrow Point and ending at the Hagadone Event Center, where they feasted on breakfast as a reward for their early morning trek.

"It's just a great event," Cliff said, anticipating pulling off a hitch-less event for the second year in a row. "Over time, we'd love to rival the Long Bridge Swim."

That race is billed as the premiere race in the Northwest, attracting upward of 700 swimmers.

But the Coeur d'Alene event offers its own unique twists. Racers and spectators will boat from The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course to Arrow Point, where the swimmers will get out and hit the water in waves. Self-seeding will be required, starting with elite swimmers hitting the water first, followed by those accustomed to triathlons followed by the casual swimmer out for a Sunday dip. Once in the water, spectators will boat alongside them so swimmers, even in the middle of the lake, will have a cheering section.

Purposely planned in August when the water temperature in the lake is at its warmest, many swimmers crossed last year sans wetsuit. Along with breakfast, items such as wetsuits, golf packages and a free night at The Coeur d'Alene Resort will be raffled off after the swim at Hagadone Event Center, 900 Floating Green Drive.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the North Idaho College Booster Club, Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team and the Union Gospel Mission. Registration costs $65. Spectator boat tickets cost $5 to $10. Info: cdacrossing.com