Bermuda’s best swimmers will begin their journey to the FINA World Championships this weekend.

Olympians Keira Aitken and Roy Allan Burch will lead the charge as the Island’s best compete in the Rego Sotheby’s National Swimming Championships.

The 2009 Bermuda World’s team will take on Florida’s Brevard Swim Club at the biggest meet of the year.

And Aitken has warmed up for the championships, which begin at the BASA pool tomorrow, by setting another national record.

Aitken set a Bermuda Open long course record in the 200 metres backstroke at a swim meet in Manresa, Spain last weekend.

The Olympian won both of her events with a time of 2:16.99 in the 200m back and 30.22 in the 50m back.

Meanwhile Burch took part at the Santa Clara Invitational and swam a 23.94 in the 50 metre freestyle event.

Burch and Aitken will be joined by other hopefuls including Eleanor Gardener and Rebecca Heyliger who are aiming to qualify and join their teammates in Rome at the 13th FINA World Championships in July.

“The National Swimming Championships have always been the most exciting local meet for our swimmers,” said a BASA spokesman.

“This meet creates a chance for them to experience an international level of competition which is important for success, but is rare to the Island.

“Brevard Swim Club have attended this meet for the past 19 years along with many other international clubs who come to enjoy the friendly yet exciting atmosphere of a swim meet in Bermuda.

“It is very common to see great improvement amongst the Bermudian swimmers at this meet because of the challenge the international swimmers create.

“With all of Bermuda’s top swimmers competing this weekend, Bermuda is sure to see some fantastic results. “