“I wanted a healthy pregnancy, so I started going to the aquanatal classes at Marlpits,” says Lorna, recalling how her journey with Rossendale Leisure Trust began in 2010. Being back in the water not only helped her have a healthy pregnancy but also reminded her of how much she loves swimming. Soon after, she started swimming regularly and became a committed member of the fitness community.
“Being a member has been absolutely amazing for me. I’ve grown in confidence, I’ve never been as fit as I am now, and it’s just such a wonderful place for overall wellbeing and health,” she explains.
Lorna’s love of swimming took a new turn when a friend from her antenatal classes suggested a charity swim. “I did a mile swim at Salford Quays, and that’s just taken off my love of swimming,” she says. The experience was daunting at first, but it ignited a passion for open water swimming that continues to this day. Over the years, her distances have grown – from a mile in 2014 to seven and a half miles this year at Ullswater end-to-end. Next year, she plans to swim Windermere end-to-end, an 11-mile challenge. “Who’d have thought I could do that 10 years ago? I’m just in awe of what we can do when we put our minds to it,” Lorna says.
But swimming isn’t the only way Lorna stays active. She’s been practicing yoga with Ellie for about 10 years. “She’s an absolutely wonderful teacher, and yoga keeps me feeling strong and supple,” Lorna shares. More recently, she’s tried Qi Gong with Dave (Tai Chi), which has helped her mind feel calm and focused.
“The staff at Marl Pits are amazing, and it’s such a friendly place,” she says. “To anyone thinking of starting their journey, just do it. You don’t have to move perfectly – any movement is good. You’ll make friends, feel empowered, and get incredible value.”
Watch the full interview video here (click here) to hear more about Lorna’s journey, from aquanatal classes to challenging open water swims.
If you’d like to be part of an interview and share your story, please email our marketing team at marketing@rltrust.co.uk.
