Pandemic swimming group grows from five to 7,000

John Girbirdi formed the group during the coronavirus pandemic

A Lancashire open water swimming group that started with just five people during the coronavirus pandemic now boasts thousands of members.

The Morecambe and Lancaster Open Water Swimmers group was formed in Morecambe by John Girbirdi.

He said it began when he wanted just a few friends to go swimming with - but numbers have now sprialled to nearly 7,000.

"It's impressive but I have to say it's a bit of a happy accident," he said.

The group is open to people of all ages and members use Facebook to arrange group swims

"It was only designed to get five to ten people to meet, maybe make a few friends and build up their swimming.

"It's grown beyond all expectations.

"Just being close to the bay, being able to swim here and meet all these great people, I definitely feel more connected to why I live here."

Mr Girbirdi said the group is open to people of all ages and members use Facebook to arrange swims.

"The first time they might be nervous as they don't know anybody," he said.

"And a couple of months down the line you come and you see they've embedded themselves in and made friends and they're part of a group.

"It does make it all feel worthwhile."

Long distance

Mr Girbirdi said he took inspiration from Gerald Forsberg, a legendary long distance swimmer who lived in Morecambe.

Forsberg was said to have swum across Morecambe Bay 29 times and from Fleetwood to Morecambe twice.

He was guided by former fisherman and open water swimming pilot Charlie Overett.

Speaking to the BBC, he described the swimmer as a "very modest man".

"Mr Forsberg was a gentleman and amiable," he said.

"I got him back seven-and-a-half minutes ahead of his time. He was chuffed to pieces.

"He wrote me a nice letter and I've still got the letter to this day."

Mr Girbirdi said he hopes to follow in Forsberg's swimming feat and is planning the nine-mile swim across the bay from Grange over Sands.