Swimberghe became a member of the Koninklijke Scoutsharmonie "Sint-Leo" in Bruges at the age of seven and played in the drum corps. He studied solfège, percussion, trumpet and harmony at the music conservatories in Bruges and Ostend. In 1975 he became a bugle- trumpet player at the Royal Band of Music of the Dutch Navy, then still a Band of Music of the Belgian Navy. He had been percussion there since 1978.

From 1974 to 1986 he was also a member of the West Flemish Symphony Orchestra and worked in various dance orchestras.

He is conductor of the Royal Harmony "Poldergalm" Dudzele (since 1994), of the Koninklijke Harmonie Kunst en Vermaak Zedelgem (since 1983), of the Royal Music Society Aardenburgsche Fanfaren (KMAF), Aardenburg (since 1991) Sints 2017 is Erwin conductor of the Noordzee Brass Band Brugge where he succeeds Emiel De Cloedt.

Swimberghe is a member of the Technical Committee Drum of Fedekam (Federation of Catholic Music Associations) for West and East Flanders. He is a frequently asked jury member at competitions and competitions.

As a composer he writes for both drum corps and for wind band and brass bands and brass bands.