Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship returns this year

by RYA on 4 May 2016 On Saturday 7 May, the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship (HYR) regional finals will begin in Northern Ireland, with 12 further finals set to be held before the winners face off at the national final at Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 18 September 2016.

Comprising of 8-12 and 13-16 age categories, the HYR is Britain’s leading programme introducing kids to powerboats and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers.

Now celebrating its 15th year, and having seen over 5,000 young powerboaters compete in 2015, the event, sponsored by Honda and Highfield, allows Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) drivers to demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning a Highfield 460 or a Honwave T40 for their club.

In 2015, Max Mawer of Girton Sailing Club, claimed the national title in the 13-16 age group, whilst in the 8-12 category, the winner was Oliver Pirt of Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club. Max won a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50 engine for his club, whilst Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club took home a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 outboard thanks to Oliver’s triumph.

Andrew Norton, RYA Event Director, said: “It’s fantastic to see the competition continuing to thrive, with more than 5,000 children across the UK participating in last year’s event.

“The standard continues to rise every year, and we look forward to welcoming more competitors than ever in 2016.”

Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK), Steve Morris, said: “We are delighted to mark the 15th anniversary of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, highlighting the success of our partnership with the RYA.

“Honda and our boat partner, Highfield, look forward to paying tribute to past winners and continuing to educate and encourage young people to learn the skills required to be the next Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion.”

RIBs are light, maneuverable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 25mph.

Area Finals

Region	Venue	Date
Northern Ireland	Ballyholme Yacht Club	7th May
South West (1)	Mountbatten Centre	21st May
Scotland	Castle Semple Centre	4th June
South (CI)	Guernsey Yacht Club	11th June
SE & London (1)	Silverwings Sailing Club	19th June
East	Fishers Green Sailing Club	2nd July
North East	Otley Sailing Club	9th July
Midlands	Burton Sailing Club	16th July
SE & London (2)	Medway Yacht Club	23rd July
North West	Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club	26th July
South West (2)	TBC	TBC
South (2)	TBC	TBC
Wales	Swansea Watersports Centre	TBC