WAVES of swimmers raced across Windermere at the weekend in an outdoor spectacular hit by tragedy.

Thousands of wetsuit-clad swimmers plunged into the cold waters of England’s largest lake for the Great North Swim, a hugely successful event marred by the death of competitor Craig Murphy, who got into difficulty in the water.

Groups of 300 raced down the jetty opposite the Low Wood Hotel and into 16 degree water to take on half-mile, one-mile and two-mile swims for charity.

Organisers said the three- day event – the largest of its kind in Britain – attracted record numbers of swimmers and spectators.

Weekend participants were wet well before they hit the water, as rain beat down on Saturday’s swimmers.

However, the weather failed to dampen spirits, and many brandished medals and enjoyed the stands and food tents laid on around the race setting.

Among the swimmers was fund-raising pro James Golding, who has collected more than £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through charity events up and down the UK and in America.

The 30-year-old, from Rugby, has been fighting spinal, kidney and bowel cancer for four years and took on the two-mile and one-mile challenges.

“It was like swimming in the Atlantic on Friday; really choppy and difficult to get a rhythm. It was a lot calmer on Saturday,” he said.

“Macmillan have helped support me a lot since I first had cancer. I found out last week that it has come back but I am determined to keep on doing challenges like these.”

South Lakeland District Council Conservative councillor Ben Berry, who was taking part, said: “It got very hectic half-way round the course and I’ve not had much time to train, but it was a great event and a brilliant atmosphere.”

Cumbria Police assistant chief constable Stuart Hyde also donned a green swim cap and wet suit to take part in the one-mile challenge.

He said: “It was great fun and a massive opportunity to show-case Cumbria.”

Kyra Edwards and Jackie Jackson, of Castleford, in West Yorkshire, both took on the swim for the first time on Saturday.

Kyra said: “It was quite daunting, but when you were actually in the water it was really enjoyable – and with a wet suit on it wasn’t as cold as we’d feared.”

Jackie added: “A few of our family have been affected by cancer so we wanted to do this to show our support.”

Office assistant Rebecca Knowles, of Natland, took part in the event on Sunday in memory of her aunt Gail Hackett, who died of motor neurone disease in March.

The 18-year-old said her efforts had resulted in £1,200 being raised for charity.

Ghyllside School teaching assistant Lindsey Loncake, 50, of Kendal, raised £600 for the Alzheimer’s Society by taking to ‘choppy’ waters on Sunday morning.

“Everybody was very encouraging,” she said. “The kayakers stayed near us and offered us advice.”