Aside from swimming in the Great Australia Day Swim from Middle Brighton Pier, the 27-year-old is in training for selection to the squad for the London Olympics.

In her previous Olympic trials in 2008, Edington set a new world record. It’s an achievement she’d like to repeat this year.

However, swimming in open water is a far cry from the sprinter’s pet event, the 50-metre backstroke.

‘‘The Australia Day swim will be a lot of fun, it’s still swimming but it’s not anywhere near as serious as the next few months will be,’’ she says.

Edington enjoys any chance to be out and active and combines her training at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Albert Park with swimwear business Fab Swimwear, importing Brazilian designs.

Originally from South Australia, Edington has lived and trained in New South Wales and Queensland but is now a happy Melburnian.

She won three gold medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in her adopted home town. Edington also won two golds at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montreal and took out the 50-metre backstroke at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010.

‘‘It’s been a huge couple of years, it’s gone really fast,’’ she says. ‘‘I’ve been in Melbourne for just over a year, even that has flown.’’

While her love of competing keeps Edington motivated, the travel has also enhanced her professional career.

‘‘Swimming really is all about the training, it is so much hard work, but it’s also given me a lot of different opportunities which I wouldn’t have thought of,’’ she says.

Charity opportunities such as working with the Great Australia Day Swim are another perk, and Edington also supports the Leukaemia Foundation, the Nelune Foundation and Little Heroes Foundation.

The Great Australia Day Swim was founded by Brighton Rotary last year. Proceeds will go towards charities and community organisations including Les Twentyman’s 20th Man Fund.