Courtesy of Antonio Argüelles Díaz-González, Cook Strait, en route to the Oceans Seven.

Under the guidance of Philip Rush as his navigator and Nora Tolendo as his coach, Antonio Argüelles Díaz-González of Mexico successfully crossed the Cook Strait in New Zealand yesterday.

Friend and supporter Rafael Alvarez wrote in Spanish, “La piel curtida por el sol, la sal carraspea en la garganta, duele el frío en los huesos, la brava lucha contra la corriente y los vientos, haciendo fintas a las aguas malas, olvidando la presencia de algún escualo, así son los hombres de mar, huelen a mar porque tienen un espíritu inquebrantable. En el lugar donde el Capitan Cook navego, hoy Antonio Argüelles conquista su 6 mar, junto a la solidez y el amor por las aguas abiertas de la mejor entrenadora Nora Toledano. Emocionan! Orgullo Mexicano!“

The 11 hour 22 minute solo swim was Argüelles’ sixth Oceans Seven crossing. The 57-year-old entrepreneur and educator only has the North Channel between Scotland and Northern Ireland left to become the first Mexican and oldest swimmer to complete the vaulted ocean challenge.

Copyright © 2008-2017 by World Open Water Swimming Association