Honda RYA Youth RIB National Championship - Crunch time

by Susie Nation-Grainger on 4 Sep 2010 2010 Honda RYA Youth RIB National Championship final, Sunday 12th September at PSP Southampton Boat Show.

Thirty two talented young powerboaters from across the UK and Gibraltar will be hitting the water at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday (12th September) putting their skill, control and speed to the test in a race against the clock, in the hope of clinching the prestigious title of 2010 Honda RYA Youth RIB National Champion.

After a summer of regional finals, we have witnessed some fantastic skills from competitors and some extremely exciting races with many close finishes so this year’s final is gearing up to be a real nail-biter!

This year for the first time in the competition Jersey have joined Guernsey to represent the Channel Islands and with youngsters Jacob Sidebottom(11) from Guernsey and Jersey’s Charles Brien (15) qualifying, expect some added regional rivalry to be injected in the final.

Watch out for Northern Ireland’s Rory Flannigan (16) who was captain of the World Title holding Team GBR at this year’s UIM Formula Future World and Continental Championships. Rory comments: 'It’s fantastic to be in the final and I can’t wait to represent Northern Ireland at Southampton’. Also joining Rory driving for Northern Ireland will be 11 year old Rory Fekkes who finished clear ahead in the 8-12 age group.

The competition will start at 10.00am on Sunday, with racing continuing throughout the day until 16:00 off the Solent Park area at the show. Each age group will be racing for the champion’s title as well as a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF60 engine for 13-16 age group and a 5m Ribcraft RIB with a Honda BF60 engine for their club, organisation or training centre.

Each competitor needs to manoeuvre around a pre-set course in the quickest time, which includes elements such as man over board, reversing around a buoy and high speed boat handling, testing their skill and control as well as speed. Any mistake could incur a time penalty meaning the difference between the title and coming in amongst the field.

Andrew Norton, RYA Motor Cruising Projects Manager and Event Director said: 'There has been some exceptional talent taking to the water throughout the competition this year so I’m expecting some fierce competition and exciting races across both classes at the final.'

'Interest and participation in the championship this year has again increased with many new competitors taking part so it will be very exciting to see who will be crowned the 2010 RYA Honda Youth RIB Champion.'

The 2010 champion will be named at the winner’s presentation held on the Honda stand (BO62) at 17.00, where the winners will receive their prizes, presented to them by Honda UK’s National Sales Manager Steve Morris and the RYA’s Chief Executive Sarah Treseder.

Now in its ninth year the Championship allows youngsters to demonstrate their skills as expert boat handlers and improve their skills in a safe, controlled environment. To ensure safety at all times each child is accompanied in the RIB by a competent adult/instructor.

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, is a National Championship in which 8-16 year olds RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers can demonstrate their boat handling skills in a race around the clock with the goal of winning a 5m Ribcraft or a Honwave T40 for their club.

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said:
'Our continued association with the RYA Youth RIB Championship allows us to inspire and encourage young people to pursue their passion for boating and engage in worthwhile team-based social activities. Furthermore it allows us to underline our commitment to safety and best practice – something which we take extremely seriously as a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables.'

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

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda, and Ribcraft.