The organizers of the Maratón Acuática Internacional Santa Fe – Coronda announced the passing of International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Swimmer Carlos Larriera of Argentina, “It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Carlos Larriera at the age of 89. Carlos was one of the doers of the Santa Fe – Coronda International Marathon. He was the organizer for several editions and winner as a swimmer in 1961 and 1962.”

Larriera planned and help organize the inaugural Maratón Acuática Internacional Santa Fe – Coronda with Werfill Castro, Dermidio Cabral López, and Adolfo Marionias. He won the first and second professional Maratón Acuática Internacional Santa Fe – Coronda (then called the Maratón Fluvial del Litoral Argentino) down the Coronda river in Argentina in 8 hours 0 minutes in 1961, in 11 hours 38 minutes in 1962, and also competed in the 1963, 1965, 1975, 1976, and 1978 competitions.

He competed in the 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964 Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli in Italy, placing 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. He finished 6th in both the 1960 and 1962 Atlantic City Around the Island Swims in the USA, and 2nd in the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean in Canada.

But his footprint is much more than merely a world-class professional marathon swimmer, one of the best of his era. His legacy goes well beyond his talents in the water and extends globally to all who he touched and impacted with his selfless, giving spirit as an organizer and ambassador of the sport.

Fellow International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Swimmer James Kegley remembers him fondly, “My first time in Santa Fe for the swim, Carlos was so kind and welcoming to me, telling me stories about swimming, telling me about Argentina, just making me comfortable there. My condolences to his family and his friends. He left an impression!“

© 2023 by Daily News of Open Water Swimming

“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“