Plymouth boys race to national powerboating final 

Finn and Paddy head to national final

Two young Plymouth lads proved their hot-shot powerboat handling skills last weekend (11 August) when they came out on top in the regional finals of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship 2013.  

Finn Irvine (10) and Paddy James (14) were winners in the south west regional final, hosted by the Plymouth and Devon Schools Sailing Association (PDSSA) at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club.  

Finn, racing against four other youngsters from the region in the 8-12 category, posted a time of 2:01 minutes around the testing course laid out in Jenny Cliffe Bay, Plymouth.  He has never competed in the event before, but has been practising at his sailing club, the Royal Western Yacht Club, for six months and won the club heats of the competition.

“I’m very surprised and excited to be heading to the national finals,” he said.  

Paddy, who beat six others in the 13-16 age group, completed the course in just 1:48:81. Also a member at the Royal Western Yacht Club, he has taken part in the Round Britain RIB Challenge, and has been powerboating for five years, but this was his first time in the Honda RYA Youth RIB competition.

“I’m over the moon at winning for the south west,” he said.  

Both boys will now be competing at the Honda RYA Youth RIB National Final in Southampton on 15 September 2013.  

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 outboard engines we are delighted to be sponsoring the 12th 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 Honda RYA Youth RIB