Nearly 600 kids are expected to compete in 83 events over the two-day meet.

Krys Syrota, 10, is the youngest swimmer representing the Wimmera and qualified after recording a personal best time in a qualifying breaststroke race earlier this year.

"You have to get a good time to get into Countries, and if you get that time, then you know you are doing well," she said.

Deacon Briggs, 14, said it was a special event.

"The first time I went, I was really nervous. Compared to state and national finals, countries are the loudest. Everyone is screaming and shouting for their club swimmers. The atmosphere is amazing. I love it," he said.

Premier junior coach Brad Harris held a workshop with the swimmers in the lead up to the country finals.

Harris coaches at Vicentre, the country's premier swimming club.

"Country times are achievable, and they are a good stepping stone between district-level swimming and swimming at a state level, where country kids come up against Melbourne kids from city clubs, where some of the coaches have six-figure salaries. Out here all the coaches are volunteers," Harris said.

WIMMERA COMPETITORS: Deacon Briggs, Dylan Ryan, Eloise Wills, Claudia Lanyon, Jack Lanyon, Jorja Clode, Krys Syrota, Billie Donnan, Luca Geue, Ruby Hill, Lily Eldridge, Tom Urquhart, Madde Townsend.

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