Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship to be decided at the PSP Southampton Boat Show 

Who will be crowned champion?

Twenty nine young powerboaters from across the UK will be hitting the water at the PSP Southampton Boat Show  on Sunday (16 September 2012)  putting their skill, control, and speed to the test in the hope of clinching the prestigious title of 2012 Honda RYA Youth RIB National Champion.  

Throughout the summer at regional finals across the UK, the competition has seen some very close finishes as well as a return of some familiar faces and this year’s final is promising to be a real nail biter!  

Watch out for previous double Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion (15) Steven Curtis who will be keen to clinch the top spot for a record breaking third year running in the 13-16 age category. Steve who is also an ambassador for the programme in his region, qualified after winning his Eastern Regional Final along with James Heys (11) who made his RIB driving debut in the 8-12 age group for the very first time.  

Don’t miss 2010 UIM Formula Future World Champion Jordan Muckles (16) who will be representing Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club after he blasted into first place at the North West Regional Final. Jordan started to compete in the Championship in 2007. He now races a GP 30 Powerboat and lies in third place in the RYA National Powerboat GP Championship.  

Competitors from the Southern Region, 2011 Champion Harrison Faull (13) and first time finalist Charlie Martin (12) will kick start the competition at 10:00am on Sunday, with racing continuing throughout the day until 16:00, off the Solent Park area.  

Now in its 11th year, finalists will be battling it out on the water in the hope of winning a fantastic prize.  In the 8-12 age group the championship winner will receive a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine for their club, whilst in the 13-16 age group the winner will receive, again for their club, a 4.8m Ribcraft RIB with a Honda BF60 engine.  

The course will involve tricky timed manoeuvres, including a high speed slalom, stop exercise, and a blast to the finish line, to test every aspect of the youngsters’ powerboat driving skills.   

Andrew Norton, RYA Motor Cruising Projects Manager and Event Director said: “This year’s competition has seen exceptional talent take to the water and we are expecting to see some fierce competition and some very exciting races in the national final”  

“The youngsters who participate are the future of sailing clubs and the Honda RYA Youth RIB championship is a fantastic way for them to gain invaluable boat handling and safety skills which are an asset to any sailing club”.  

The 2012 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champions will be named at the winner’s presentation held on the Sea Theatre Live Stage at approximately 17.20.  

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.