Hailing from a family of surfers, the 16-year-old from Corlette has won a string of regional, state and national surfing titles since taking his very first boardriding lesson at age eight.

A former nipper at the Fingal Surf Life Saving Club and member of the Bay Boardriders, Clayton-Brown has been able to progress through the age ranks, improving year on year to reach international standard.

This week the stylish surfer was rewarded for a series of outstanding performances to win a place at the world junior surfing championships to be contested at Huntington Beach in California, USA, from October 26 to November 3.

The selection comes after his triumph in the state titles at Coffs Harbour, which was followed up with a runner-up placing at the nationals held in South Australia's Victor Harbour.

Clayton-Brown was just edged out in the final by Central Coast's Joel Vaughan.

"I think it will be a great experience in the US competing against the best in my age group, but at the end of the day I am going over there to win," said Clayton-Brown.

"I have a few months to prepare but the titles come quick enough. I am looking forward to the challenge."

The Tomaree High School student said he will leave nothing to chance in his bid to return home with the title that his good friend, Bondi's Grayson Hinrichs, won last year.

Interestingly, Clayton-Brown knocked out Hinricks in the nationals this year.

Despite growing up a surfing family - both his parents, Suellen and Mark, and older sister, Elle, are all keen competitors in the sport - Clayton-Brown has had to work hard to get where he is today.

"I wasn't very successful when I began competing at surf carnivals, but gradually I got better as I grew more confident in the water," he said.

"I have also had some great coaches who have helped me over time."

And the training - up to 15 hours a week - is not limited to the surf at his local beaches.

He has found strength and endurance working in the gym and diversifying his training schedule to include some of the martial arts including boxing, cross-fit, yoga and Pilates.

But ultimately there is nothing like riding the waves for the carefree teenager with the world at his feet.

"I love to surf no matter what the conditions. It gives me a release and lets my mind free," he said.

"It's quite incredible, there is no better feeling in the world."