Powerboat champions gear up for Honda RYA Youth RIB national final 

At the PSP Southampton Boat Show

Twenty eight young powerboaters from across the UK will be hitting the water on Sunday 14 September at the PSP Southampton Boat Show. They’ll be putting their skill, control, and speed to the test in the hope of clinching the prestigious title of 2014 Honda RYA Youth RIB National Champion.  

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.

Throughout the summer the competition has seen some very close finishes at regional finals across the country and this year’s final is promising to be a real nail biter!

The ones to watch

Watch out for sisters Kamila (13) and Aga (9) who will be flying the flag for the West Midlands. Last year three time regional champion Kamila finished second overall in the 8-12 age-group and this year is desperate to clinch the national title for the first time as she returns to compete in the older age group.  

Kamila said: “I’m so happy and excited to have qualified for the national final again! I was fifth in 2012, and second in 2013, so I’ve done better and better. Now I really want to win!”

Also competing is Harry Chung (14) who will be representing the South East region. This will be Harry’s second national final, having qualified for the Southampton showdown in the 8-12 age-group two years ago. He said: “It was enjoyable and challenging at the same time, but I’m really looking forward to Southampton now."

Cheer on your regional finalist 

Competitors from the North West Region will kick start the national competition at 09:30am on Sunday, with racing continuing throughout the day until 15:30, off the Solent Park area.

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.

Now in its 13th 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 Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50.

Champion of clubs 

The newly crowned 2014 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champions will also be taking on representatives from the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht Club in a head to head showdown to determine the winner of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion of Club trophy.

Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Project Manager and Event Director said: “With so many talented young RIB drivers across the country the 2014 titles and the Champion of Clubs trophy could belong to anyone.

“Qualifying for the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a huge achievement as it not only means that these youngsters can drive the RIBs at speed but they can handle them safely under pressure. It’s also been fantastic to see more girls taking part and qualifying for the national final this year.”  

Honda RYA Youth RIB Event Manager Tom Busfield added: “The expert level of RIB driving we have seen across the UK means things are really hotting up for this year’s final. Youngsters are training hard in the hope that they will be crowned 2014 champions. Good luck to everyone taking part”.

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Highfield. 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