Philip Rush

  Philip Rush is the man who organizes and runs the swims across the Cook Strait. He is a swimming legend. He still holds the record (from 1987) for the fastest triple crossing of the English Channel. He was the first and is still the fastest to do a double crossing of the Cook Strait. The swims and the cabin cruiser boat, the Tangeroa, are based in Wellington, New Zealand. Other swimmers tell me that the Tangeroa captain and navigator are amazing. Philip and his fellow firefighter friend will be in the large inflatable beside me.
  Philip has all the equipment and personnel organized, is an expert on the tides and weather, and says that all the swimmer has to do is show up. And he has selflessly organized and officiated 300 swims over about 30 years.
  Since he only books 8 to 10 swimmers a year, I have had to wait since 2013 for my chance.
  Yesterday he wrote to me that all I have to bring is "your swimming stuff like your food, togs (swimming outfit), goggles and caps". With regards to hypothermia and sharks, he says, "be assured we only have your best interests at heart."
  He also writes, "we will give you our best shot to become the most mature female and the first Canadian."