Eden will host one of three Country Regional Meets that run concurrently in three separate towns. 

108 competitors will take to the water over two days of competition, while there are also 20 visiting officials and their families making the trip to the region. 

Bega will send a half-dozen strong contingent of swimmers, many backing up after good efforts in the Wharf to Waves last weekend. 

Many had top 10 finishes in their 600-metre events and now some are keen to back up in the Eden Pool. 

“It was great to see so many in the swim last week,” coach Zoe Philipzen said “And it’s great to see some backing up for the Eden meet this weekend.”

Eden Swim Club president Melina Caldwell said it was a thrilling result for the area and the local club was eager to showcase the region to visitors. 

“Through the meet, we hope to promote Eden as much as we can,” Ms Caldwell said. 

“The Visitor Information Centre has done up some gift bags with guides to the area we’ll give to each family.

“We’ve also had a handful of businesses come on board and sponsor the event with some vouchers the visitors will be able to present for a discount.”

Forty-four separate races will be split with 20 on Saturday and the remaining 24 to run on Sunday. 

Ms Caldwell said this meant official competition would be wrapped up by around lunch time both days allowing the visitors to get out for sight seeing. 

It’s also a boost for the local swimmers taking part. Ms Caldwell said it would be “unreal” to host a meet of this pedigree on the Far South Coast. 

“Its a huge experience for our kids without having to travel.”

NSW Swimming officials said Eden had presented an enormously strong application to host the event and also had the backing of the South Eastern Swimming Association. 

“I think the quality of our facility and the area had a big part to play,” Ms Caldwell said. 

And the club’s fundraising efforts to purchase thermal blankets have also had a drastic impact.

“We used to be known as one of the coldest pools, but the blankets are now used for about seven months of the year – and with the weather we’ve had it’s probably 28 degrees in the water.

“If it stays this warm it might be close to 30, I don’t think they can call us cold anymore,” she said with a laugh. 

Spectators are welcome, with free entry both days with events from 10am Saturday.