Tom Hecker, the co-chairman of the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, completed his fourth channel of the Oceans Seven when he crossed the Cook Strait in 10 hours 36 minutes.

Guided by the legendary Philip Rush, the popular, ever-optimistic 59-year-old marathon swimmer became the oldest person to successful swim in the notoriously rough and cold waters between the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

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