Do Nippers need duty hours or an annual retest?

No. Under the LSA Competition Manual (17th edition, Section 3):

• The duty obligation applies to members from age 14 competing in U15 and above. From then on, competitors need at least 20 duty hours in the year from 1 February to 31 January before the SA Championships (with some exemptions).
• The annual retest requirement doesn't apply to Nippers (or masters, life members and competitors over 25).

Nippers still need to be registered members of a club, hold the award for their age group (Level 1, 2 or 3), and not be in default with their club or LSA.

When a member turns 14 they may attempt the Junior Lifeguard Award (JLA); if they pass, they must compete as a U15 junior, and the duty and retest rules then apply (a current JLA retest is needed if under 16).