Sam Joseph, Mikayli Hoffman, Rory Fawcett, all 12, and Joe Madigan, 13, are part of the club's 33-strong squad for the championships.

They are part of the more than 400 under 12 and 13 nippers from across the state competing across two days at Warrnambool's Lady Bay.

The under nine to 11 age groups will have a replacement carnival at Torquay's Cosy Corner next weekend.

The quartet of emerging lifesavers are all eager to compete at this weekend's state titles.

Joseph's nervous energy was because the championships "only happen once a year and it's fun".

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Madigan and Fawcett are entering their final year in the nippers program with 2021-22 to be their first in the open squad.

"It's my last year this year and I'm looking forward to it as I wasn't sure if it would run because of COVID and now I'm a lot more excited," Madigan said.

"I'm looking forward to it (graduating to the senior squad). I'm not sure how I will go on the big boards."

Fawcett, who is competing in iron and board races, wants to finish her final junior state titles well.

"I'm pretty excited and little nervous at the same time as it's my last one and I'm excited to give it my best and see how I go," she said.

"I feel relaxed and I'll just be myself and do my best and it doesn't matter what I come."

Hoffman, who will be doing both water and beach events, has missed competing and seeing her friends.

"I'm feeling a little bit nervous considering we haven't done many competitions in a while," she said.

"I feel like this competition is always the most important but this year we are just going to try and have a lot of fun.

"It's been a lot better (being back in the water) because last year we didn't get to hang out much with our friends and it's good to see everyone's faces again.

"I made a lot more friends from other teams and it's good to just say hi to them again."

Junior competition squad coordinator Travis Madigan said the titles running this year was great for the club and its competitors.

"It's great considering we didn't think we were going to get it and anything we have got this year is just a bonus," he said. "To have it back here is fantastic for the kids and the community."

Madigan said the commitment shown by the club's young athletes wanting to compete had been great.

"The interest has been high and we were worried about having to cap it (the squad)," he said.

"We have been lucky enough to get the right number we needed and we're looking forward to next year as we try to improve on that number.

"We have 33 competitors for Warrnambool and there is going to be a thousand kids on the beach so it will still be a big few days even though there is only a couple of ages there."

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