The absolute minimum age for a child to join the organisation and participate in Junior Activities is 5 years old (U6), up to a maximum of 13 years (U14) on a seasonal basis.

The 30th September date will verify which age group you will be registered in for each season. There is no allowance for children to register in any age group they are not eligible for (based on the rule above). The Age Group Quick Reference Guide shall be the sole determination for registration of Junior Activity members.

A child may join as soon as they turn 5 years of age. No club is to accept membership of a child until they have reached the age of 5 years to comply with insurance requirements. A child who reaches 5 years after the 30th of September may join nippers at that time for the remainder of the season; however, this child will be required to stay in the U6 nippers age group again the following season. It is the club's responsibility to explain this to the parents of the child. Note: proof of age must be sighted for all new children joining a club.

Age Group Participation
There are various reasons nippers may move down an age group, i.e., competency, ability, and social situations; the same year in school, however, in different age groups due to birthdate. ​

Moving Age Groups
It is currently approved that nippers may move down one age group. I.e., an u9 child may participate in u8’s should they complete the u8 preliminary evaluations. They will only receive the age award for the lower age group & will be unable to compete.
Moving up is currently unapproved by SLSQ.

Please note that moving age groups is not supported in the SLSA Nipper App as it is built in to Surfguard.