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

Clever Dicks

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. 🏊‍♂️🌊