Damian Piza Beltran

Butlin’s International Channel Swim, 1954.

“The Tabasco shark”: Damián Píza Beltrán, first Mexican who crossed the English Channel in 1953.

He was successful in 1953 in a time of 15hrs. 23mins. It was an independant swim. He was the first Mexican to swim the Channel.

He was unsuccessful in the  1954 race, he swam for 5 hours, and at the date of the swim was 36 years old. In 1955 he again swam in a Billy Butlin swim and was one of the four finishers in that race, his swim time was 15hrs and 8 mins.

He doubled up on film for Johnny Weissmuller, in the Tarzan films. He was also a crooner in a Night Club.

A Black and White photograph. Sam Rockett Collection