Honda Rib Challenge

Once again the roar of Honda engines could be heard over the crashing waves in Sunderland Harbour as young powerboating enthusiasts from across the RYA North East Region took part in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship 2012.

Sunderland has a great track record in this competition with youngsters from the town bringing home three National Championships in the past few years and this year Sunderland Yacht Club hosted the North East Regional final for the fifth time.

The wind, rain and tide made this year’s competition particularly tough and the skills of the young powerboaters were tested to the limit as they negotiated the slalom course.

In the 8 to 12 year Junior Class, the best time of the day, 2mins 17.8 secs, was set by 12 year old Christian Carney from Sunderland Yacht Club, but due to Christian’s 13thbirthday being five days before the National Final, first place in the Junior Class went to 12 year old Will Colborn instead.

Will, who also comes from Sunderland and attends Monkwearmouth School, said “I’m really excited to have won and to be going down to Southampton, but I’m really sorry that Christian can’t take part.”

First place in the 13 to 16 year Youth Class went to 13 year old James Moore from Lobley Hill, Gateshead in a time of 1min 22.3 secs. James, who attends Emmanuel College, Gateshead and is a member of Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club, won the Junior Class in the Regional competition last year.

“I’m looking forward to going down to Southampton for the finals again in September,” said James. “I’ve spent about 20 hours in the past few weeks practicing.”

Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship NE Regional Results (to third place)

Junior class – 8 to 12 years
1.	Will Colborn	12	Sunderland YC	2m 40.9s
2.	Finlay Brechin	12	Derwent Reservoir SC	2m 51.6s
3.	Josh Miller	9	Wear Boating Assoc	3m 31.4s
Youth Class – 13 to 16 years
1.	James Moore	13	Derwent Reservoir SC	1m 22.2s
2.	Gregg Chalk	16	Sunderland YC	1m 28.2s
3.	Aidan Patton	14	Derwent Res SC	1m 59.4s

“The standard of RIB driving today was excellent,” said Instructor Daniel Rooney after the event. “In these testing conditions all the competitors did very well. It wasn’t easy out there but everyone who took part gained from the experience and enjoyed themselves.”

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, 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.

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said:

“Honda strives to be "a company that society wants to exist", and so as a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables we are 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”.

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Ribcraft.

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