E13 - Phil Rush - a professional swimmer now helping others achieve their goals

Send us a text In this captivating podcast episode, Duncan and Jim sit down with Phillip Rush , a remarkable New Zealand swimmer. Phillip’s aquatic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Let’s dive into the highlights of his life: Background and Achievements : His claim to fame lies in conquering the English Channel in both two and three-way swims. In 1987, he achieved the world record for the fastest three-way swim, completing the grueling challenge in an impressive 28 hours and 21 minutes (with the two-way segment taking just 16 hours and 10 minutes ). Phillip’s aquatic prowess extends beyond the English Channel: He has swum the English Channel a total of 10 times . The Cook Strait in New Zealand has witnessed his strokes 8 times , including a remarkable Double Crossing (completed on March 13, 1984, in 16 hours and 16 minutes , and repeated on February 9, 1988, in 18 hours and 37 minutes ). Notably, he became the first person to achieve a double crossing of New Zealand’s Lake Taupō (a 40.2 km swim) in January 1985, setting a time record of 10 hours and 14 minutes . Life Beyond Swimming : After retiring from competitive swimming in 1990 , Phillip Rush transitioned into coaching. His passion now lies in supporting and guiding swimmers embarking on solo swims around New Zealand. Phillip Rush’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep love for the water. His legacy continues as he inspires the next generation of open-water swimmers. 🏊‍♂️🌊