Weeks after Sydne Didier journeyed 24 miles around Little Cayman, Oly Rush, someone who understands what it takes to accomplish such a feat, showed his respect for her efforts and the cause for which she raised awareness.
“When someone takes on a huge physical challenge and they are not doing it for a record or for recognition, or any of that, I think it comes across really well,” Rush told the Compass.
In similar fashion, Rush swam 65 miles around Grand Cayman in May 2022, a 37-hour-long effort to raise awareness on plastic pollution.
For Didier, 53, her dawn-till-dusk swim around Little Cayman, which took 14 hours and 15 minutes, was accomplished in the hopes of bringing attention to climate change.
Though both their epic swims are tied to environmental causes, Rush said he didn’t recall hearing about Didier.
“When I first heard about the swim … super cool, let’s look into this some more and find out who and why this swim took place,” Rush said. “It’s always interesting to know people’s stories [and] why they take on challenges like this.”
Rush understands the challenges of a swim like this all too well, as he endured injuries during and after his ‘Grand Swim’ including salt blisters in his month and injuries to his right shoulder.
For Didier, she was taxed with 90 degree waters and near dehydration, topped off with jellyfish reminding her that she isn’t immune to stings.
It’s the price one must pay if they are to draw attention to a worldwide crisis.
“It’s always amazing what people can do and achieve when they have a solid purpose,” Rush said.
He added that Didier’s drive to complete the swim was amazing, especially considering that she is 53 years old.
“I think 53 is just a number, but it is amazing at the same time to be able to do that at that age,” he said.
In fact, the oldest person, male or female, to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, is Pat Gallant-Charette, who was 67 years old when she completed the final leg, the 20 Bridges Circumnavigation Swim of Manhattan – the world’s longest swimming race at 28.5 miles.
Didier previously told the Compass that she hoped that her feat would spark more interest in people swimming and challenging themselves – sentiments echoed by Rush.
“I hope people will be inspired to take on similar challenges,” Rush said. “Swimming, running, walking, whatever it might be, to raise awareness about such important issues that the planet is facing; this is a fragile planet.”
Rush continues to be an activist for reducing plastic pollution, through his organisation Project Planet Earth, where he raises funds to travel the world and clean beaches.
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