DORSET ‘HUMAN FISH’ MAKES WORLD RECORDS

DORSET’S ‘human fish’ – Oly Rush – has crowned a remarkable year by being listed in the latest edition of the Guinness World Records.

The plasterer and endurance swimmer, from Upton near Poole, has made the pages of the 2024 book of world records after completing a 60-mile circumnavigation of Grand Cayman.

To complete the feat, the 39-year-old spent an arm-aching 37 hours non-stop powering round the Caribbean island, becoming the first person ever to achieve the feat in a bid to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

It came after a number of notable achievements in recent years, including the fastest swim around the Isle of Wight and becoming the first person to swim around the Greek Island of Ithaca.

Vegan Oly also raises money for environmental charities during his endurance swims and has his sights set on further firsts.

“It’s lovely to be recognised by the Guinness book of records but what’s more important is to do my bit to clean up the oceans,” he said.

I also go into schools and give talks and the children really seem to take what I’m saying on board. I think we have a great generation coming through who really care about reducing pollution.

“Next year I aim to do another swim which I’m still finalising, but which will test me more than any of the others.”
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Guinness World Records 2024 details how Oly swam around the 59.3-mile distance in 36hrs 59mins and includes a picture of an emotional Oly at the end of his world record feat.