Damien Piza Beltran receives award from the Mayor of Folkstone Charles E. Neate

Butlins International Swim 1954 The Leas Cliff Hotel Folkestone, Kent. The Mayor of Folkestone presenting a trophy to Damian Piza Beltram of Mexico.

“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.

From the Sam Rockett Collection. A Black and White Photograph.