Burton SC hosting regional powerboat showdown

Drivers steeled for 2012 East Midlands Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship

Young powerboaters from across the region are revving their engines ready to compete for the 2012 East Midlands Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship title at Burton Sailing Club on Saturday (14 July).

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 East 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 in 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 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine or a 4.8m Ribcraft RIB with a Honda BF60 engine 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. The best support boat drivers can also get amazing opportunities to provide safety cover and perform officiating duties at top international sailing events all over the world.

"The talents of the majority of the support boat crews for the 2012 Olympic sailing regatta at Weymouth and Portland were honed in Britain’s sailing clubs.”

Now in its 11th year, this year’s national Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship Final will be held on Sunday 16 September at the Southampton Boat Show.

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said: “As a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables, Honda is delighted to be sponsoring the 11th 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 visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib