Besides his success of the world professional marathon swimming circuit, Philip established his legacy in the English Channel where he crossed a total of ten times.
He first swam the English Channel in 1985 in a single crossing and then set a double-crossing record in 17 hours 56 minutes. He made successful one-way crossings in 1986 and 1987 and then became the second swimmer to achieve a three-way crossing in 28 hours 21 minutes. In that remarkable swim, he swam the first leg in 7 hours 55 minutes which was the fastest swim of the year. He then did the second leg in 8 hours 15 minutes to set a two-way record. Not done, his third leg was clocked in 12 hours 11 minutes for a three-way crossing of 28 hours 21 minutes. In one of the most classic bits of history, Philip‘s coach set him off to do a fourth leg and pulled him aboard shortly afterwards. But Philip simply put his head down, set off to do a fourth leg without complaint.
That steely determination and uncommon focus on marathon swimming will undoubtedly serve the sport well.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.