Mexican Disabled Swimmer Makes US Debut

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Ensenada’s Black Shark Debuts in US

Paralyzed swimmer triumphs in San Clemente

BY MILES N. MILES

“The Black Shark”, a.k.a. Sergio Valencia, a world famous paralyzed swimmer from Ensenada, swam in the United States for the first time in his career last weekend.  The Shark performed a 12 mile open ocean swimming exhibition at the Ocean Festival in San Clemente, a summertime beach celebration that attracted thousands of spectators to the Southern California city.  The American audience was thrilled by the Shark’s impressive achievement, although Mexican fans have been following his incredible career for the last 19 years.  “My dream to swim in the US has finally become a reality, and I hope to motivate people everywhere” said Valencia.

Valencia, 46, was paralyzed from the waist down in an auto accident when he was 18 years old.  After spending seven years depressed and suicidal in a room at his mother’s house, Valencia began training in the ocean and reinvented himself as The Black Shark. In 1988, he was the first handicapped person to swim the Strait of Gibralter. Since then, he has performed 20 long distance swimming events in the open ocean, including a 24 ½ hour, overnight swim from Point Loma in California to Ensenada, a distance of 54 miles.  Last year, he swam 15 miles from the Coronado Islands to Playas de Tijuana in seven hours.  During these events, he has contended with a long list of challenges including 15 foot waves, 35 mph winds, strong currents, stormy conditions, and animal attacks from sea lions, jellyfish, and sharks.

In San Clemente, members of the Christ Lutheran Church located on North Beach applauded and prayed when Valencia first got into the water at 7:30 a.m.   The churchgoers are members of a unique congregation that attend services on the beach every Sunday.  Other spectators had read about the Shark in the local papers, and arrived specifically to wish him well.  Several people commented that they were inspired by the Black Shark because they had disabled friends or family members.  Pastor Margaret Duttera led the congregation in a prayer and blessing ceremony as Valencia prepared to enter the water. 

Two San Clemente lifeguards accompanied the Shark on paddleboards throughout the entire event.  Conditions were ideal, and there were no waves, currents, winds, sharks, or other obstacles.  Valencia swam a steady, even pace, and only stopped four times for breaks lasting less than one minute each.  Although plagued by indigestion from eating green pepper, the Shark maintained a good energy level and had no other mishaps.   He swam from North Beach to Dana Point, where he turned around at a buoy and swam back to the San Clemente pier.

Thousands of people attending the Ocean Festival were lining the beaches and pier when the Shark arrived.  Dozens of professional swimmers, who had just competed in an Ocean Festival race, were amazed when the event emcee began describing the Shark’s history and announcing his imminent arrival.  Coming ashore, the Shark was surrounded by well wishers and dignitaries.  He gave an interview in Spanish, where he thanked the Ocean Festival organizers, the crowd, the American people, and Lloyd Darden, an American volunteer who organized the event.   “My life is all about having no limitations” he said.  “It is always possible to obtain everything that you want, when you believe in God and have faith in yourself.”

Next, the Black Shark hopes to perform the difficult Long Beach – Catalina Island crossing.  He is currently looking for sponsors and volunteers to assist in that effort.