Banting - who is sitting in second place on the 2014 ASP Qualifying Series after claiming two elite events already this year - is a former competitor in the NSW Junior State Titles.

“I’m stoked to see the NSW Junior State Titles come to my hometown,” said Banting. “Surfing in the State Titles and events like that was such a memorable part of my upbringing. The State Titles paved the way for my career and taught me a lot about competing and developing a competitive strategy.”

The NSW Schools Titles will occupy the first two days of the event. 2014 will be the fourth year Surfing NSW will combine the NSW School Surfing Titles into the event.

As part of the opening ceremony on July 20, former World Championship Tour competitor and local Port Macquarie surfer Darren O'Rafferty will address event competitors and provide insight into what it takes to compete at surfing's highest level.

“You end up seeing the best kids in the state in the event and there’s every chance the winner of the event is going to have a pretty bright future. It was such a good stepping stone for the Aussie Titles and potentially the World Juniors.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Peter Besseling is also excited to see nearly 350 junior surfers, from all over NSW, descend on the region for the week-long championships.

“Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is very proud to be sponsoring the 2014 Junior State Titles and to be continuing its relationship with Surfing NSW,” said Cr Besseling. “This is a wonderful event for the region and we look forward to watching some of the state’s best junior surfers competing on our local breaks.”

All celebrations will take place at Town Green Inn and are set to begin on Sunday, July 20, with an opening ceremony and conclude with a final presentation on Sunday, July 27.

Other functions at Town Green Inn include: A Surfing NSW judging seminar and trivia night (July 21), School State Surfing Titles presentation (July 22) and a pizza, ping-pong and movie night (July 24).

Surfing NSW will also host their free CPR and board rescue course, Surfers Rescue 24/7 at the event site on Tuesday 22nd of July and will be available for competitors, their families and the local community. 

The NSW State Junior Titles can run anywhere between North Haven and North Wall at Port Macquarie.

The prestigious competition will determine the NSW team for the upcoming Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Yallingup, Western Australia in December.

All qualifiers for the NSW Junior State Titles were determined by 10 individual regional titles, which took place up and down the NSW coastline earlier in the year.