A Tooting Bec Lido swimming coach has crossed the Cook Strait in New Zealand in just over six hours.

Beating the times of all the swimmers who completed this swim last year, New-Zealander, Dan Abel, 37, completed his challenge in the early hours of March 22.

Strong currents and killer whales are just two of the challenges of this 14 mile swim.

The Cook Strait is the body of water separating the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

He said: "Last year 12 people attempted it and only three were successful, " adding he was "very very chuffed" at his achievement.

Though the crossing started out well, it was not all plain sailing.

He said: "When I started the last third of the swim the tide met an opposing wind and it was like swimming in a washing machine."

Having made the sixth fastest out of 83 successful crossings to date, Mr Abel had to push himself to keep going.

He said: "At the five hour mark I was very fatigued and that's when I hit the tide and wind. That was physically the hardest part of the swim."

Mr Abel was visited by a pod of dolphins on the way but "thankfully no sharks," which are common to that stretch of water.

Mr Abel is now recovering but he won't be resting for long.

He said: "I have the final round of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series in Auckland in two weeks.

"I have a chance to win my age category so I won't be spending too much time out of the water."