West Midlands RYA Youth RIB Championship - Perton youngster to bid

by RYA on 10 May 2013 When the West Midlands Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship Regional Final commences on Saturday May 11, a Perton youngster will be bidding to claim back-to-back titles as she prepares to line up at South Staffordshire Sailing Club.

Kamilla Czartolomna clinched regional victory in the 8-12 years age-group last year, going on to finish a hugely-creditable fifth out of 14 boats on her national Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship debut at the PSP Southampton Boat Show in September.

She is now set to try to defend her age-group crown, and once again seal a place in the national grand final, as young powerboaters from across the region rev their engines ready to compete for the 2013 regional titles on Upper Gailey Reservoir this weekend.

Now in its 12th year, the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is Britain’s leading programme introducing kids to powerboats and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers.

The West Midlands’ championship is one of 14 regional finals taking place nationwide in the coming months with drivers in two age-groups - 8-12 and 13-16 – vying to win a place at the national grand final at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 15 September.

RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) are light, manoeuvrable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 25mph.

The youngsters compete in time trials around sets of marks with the driver with the fastest time in each age-group qualifying for the national final where the overall national champion in each age-group will win a Honwave T40 or a 4.8m Ribcraft RIB for their club.

Andrew Norton, Honda RYA Youth RIB event director, explains: 'With the emphasis on swift, efficient and safe manoeuvring, the skills the youngsters develop through the Honda RYA Youth RIB programme are not only a great chance for them to experience the thrill of racing a small powerboat but are also invaluable in supporting sailing clubs in running all the activities they want to get more people out on the water more often.

'Safe, proficient powerboat drivers are needed to provide on the water safety and support whenever clubs run learn to sail courses or racing events, which they all do frequently. It is always great to see so many youngsters across the country enthusiastic about this event.'

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said: 'As a major manufacturer of outboard engines we are delighted to be sponsoring the 12th year of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship. Inspiring and encouraging young people to discover and pursue a passion for boating is as important as giving them the skills to do so in a safe and responsible way. We are proud, together with the RYA, to be doing both through this unique competition.'

For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, click here.