Veteran swimmer Chris Smith takes the plunge in the Australian Masters Championship in the Sydney Olympic pool today as he continues his preparation for this month's World Masters in New Zealand.

The 70-year-old Warwick resident, who has been training in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, will compete alongside 700 of Australia's top age-group swimmers as well as strong contingents from Europe and North America.

Eighteen events plus relays are scheduled over the three-day meet.

Smith will come up against Graham Johnston from South Texas, the world's top ranked 70-and-over swimmer in several events, as well as David Lawlor and Allan Duffy, two Australians who consistently rank in the world's top ten in the 70-74 age group.

After training in New Zealand for a month, Smith has spent the last few days in Sydney preparing for the meet.

He will return to Christchurch for the World Masters which start on March 24 when over 3,000 of the world's best will compete over eight days.