Dunedin swimmer Alistair Brown is set to face a new challenge next week - and it could lead to an exciting few years of international competition.

The Linlithgow 18-year-old is one of five Britons selected to compete in a 10k Open Water Meet near Pisa in Italy. If he finishes among the top three Brits, then he will go on to another event in France next month.

Open Water swimming has been added to the Olympic programme in Beijing this year, and it is one of the disciplines that GB is targeting for London 2012.

A 16 min 12 secs man at 1500m freestyle, Brown has been picked out as a talent to be nurtured.

"I've never done any open water swimming, but I'm going out with Scott Balfour (Dad of Olympic swimmer, Kirsty, and a top-class tri-athlete) this weekend to try it out in a loch in East Lothian," said Alistair.

"I'm a little apprehensive, but looking forward to trying it out. I think the water will be a little warmer in Italy.

"Open water swimming might also be on the 2010 Commonwealth Games programme in Delhi, and also for Glasgow in 2014. So there could be a lot of new opportunities."