Prizes presented to Honda RYA Youth RIB National Champions

by Susie NationGrainger on 20 Nov 2012 There were celebrations at Parkstone YC this weekend, 18th November, when 2012 Honda RYA Youth RIB National Champions Charlie Martin (12) and Harrison Faull (13) were officially presented with their prizes, two brand new RIBs for their club.

After winning their regional final this summer, the boys blasted their way to victory at the national final held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show in September. They skillfully manoeuvred around the tricky and testing Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship course which includes a slalom run, a 360O reverse around a buoy and a stop exercise.

Charlie, competing in the competition for the very first time in the 8-12 age category, was presented with a fantastic Honwave T40 RIB with a BF20 engine. 2011 Champion Harrison who returned to compete in the 13-16 age group this year, was awarded a Ribcraft 4.8m RIB with a BF60 engine.

'We are very happy to be here today and with such amazing prizes' said Harrison. 'It’s not only great for us, but also great for Parkstone Yacht Club too. Hopefully even more youngsters will get involved in next year’s Championship'.

Charlie said: 'It’s really cool to be here and to have won. I’m really looking forward to getting out on the water and using the RIB'.

Presenting the prizes was RYA Motor Cruising Projects Manager Andrew Norton, Commodore of Parkstone Yacht Club Barry Rolfe and on behalf of Honda, Pete Johnson from Poole Marine Services.

'We are delighted to be presenting these RIBs to Charlie and Harrison today. They have both shown huge talent and have worked hard to win the competition. The championship brings huge value in terms of introducing kids to powerboats and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers. These youngsters have really demonstrated this and are both fantastic ambassadors for the sport' said Andrew.

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship is a National Championship in which 8-16 year old RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers can demonstrate their boat handling skills in a race against the clock in the hope of winning a 4.8m Ribcraft or Honwave T40 for their club.

For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib.