Thousands of nippers will take to the sand at Blacksmiths beach over coming days for the 2020 NSW Surf Life Saving Age Championships.
More than 2700 athletes in the under-nine to under-14 age groups will compete in individual and team events from Friday to Sunday.
The Age Championships will be followed by the Masters and Open Championships over the next week.
It is the fourth consecutive year Swansea-Belmont Surf Life Saving Club has hosted the state championships.
Club president Graham Burge said beach erosion had caused a headache for organisers but they were well prepared for the week ahead.
"We've lost a bit of sand over the last couple of weeks but it's starting to come back," he said.
"Everyone has been putting in their all so the schedule of events can run to plan.
"We're all looking forward to having everyone back to enjoy our beach. State champs is always a huge weekend and it's the opportunity for the kids to get out there and enjoy themselves in the water and on the sand as well as in the festival area."
Redhead Ironman Dan Collins visited Blacksmiths on Thursday to share some advice to a few nippers.
He competed in the Age Championships throughout his junior career and is now the Hunter's only male competitor in the 2019/20 Nutri-Grain Iron Series.
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Collins, a professional lifeguard with Newcastle council, will line up in the Open Championships next week.
Swansea-Belmont coach Jeff Mowbray said conditions for the Age Championships were expected to be ideal for the junior athletes.
"What we've got is a low tide early; perfect for the start of the carnival and low tides around lunch time," he said.
"The swell is down to about half a metre. It will be a good weekend with the right conditions in the water and easterly breeze will mean a nice sea breeze to keep everyone cool.
"The southerly could increase the wave height slightly for finals on Sunday but will be perfect for the kids."
Ten Hunter clubs - Swansea-Belmont, Redhead, Merewether, Cooks Hill, Stockton, Caves Beach, Catherine Hill Bay, Fingal Beach, Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest and Dixon Park - will field a total 320 competitors in the Age Championships.
All up, about 6000 athletes are expected to compete in the championships at Blacksmiths over the next week.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said that with family and friends in tow, and more than 600 officials, the total number of visitors reached about 15,000.
She said Lake Mac Holiday Parks in Swansea and Blacksmiths were fully booked.
"Tourism research shows that is worth seven to $10 million in direct and flow-on revenue to the city and our region," Cr Fraser said.
"We are very proud to host an event of this calibre, and excited about the benefits and recognition it delivers."
