The hosts, South West Rocks, have 36 competitors with Cleo Schubert and Aneeka Reily earmarked as ones to watch.

The youngsters both won a silver medal at last year’s event with Cleo securing it in the beach sprint while Aneeka’s medal came in the 1km beach run.

Cooper Schubert and Hazel Delaney are also expected to impress at the Country Championships.

South West Rocks are also a strong medal chance in the Surf Boat competition with a strong crew competing.

Meanwhile, Hat Head’s expectations are high after their historic performance last year that saw them finish higher than both South West Rocks and Kempsey-Crescent Head for the first time.

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The club has 36 representatives and they prepared for the event with impressive results at the Branch Championships at Bonny Hills a fortnight ago.

“The Branch Championships showed we have competitors who will match it with the best at the Country Championships,” Hat Head’s nippers co-ordinator, age and team manager Nicole Browne said.

“The pick of the bunch was the Lawler family, who dominated their respective masters events and the U12 relay team made up of Will Haigh, Darcy Swaine, Charlie Norton and Zoe Crilley.

“They grabbed a gold medal and backed it up with a silver in the U13s.”

Kempsey-Crescent Head has nine representatives competing alongside their Surf Boat crews, who will be competing for medal positions.

One of their superstar performers, Taylah Moffitt, heads into the Country Championships in great form.

The 11-year-old was crowned the Branch Champion for her age ground and the Overall Female Branch Champion.

The junior reached the finals in multiple events last year and she’s looking to earn a medal placing in 2018.