Lymington’s Tom Rogers crowned Champion of Clubs at Honda RYA Youth RIB Nationals 

Tom Rogers from Lymington won the Honda RYA Youth RIB National Championship Champion of Clubs trophy at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on 14 September in a thrilling finale to a great day of RIB competition.

Tom, aged 10, was representing 2013 champion club Royal Lymington Yacht Club when he faced the new national winner of the Honda RYA Youth RIB National Championship, Jamie Paterson from Findhorn Marina, who was fresh from clinching the Championship winner’s title in the 8-12 age group just minutes before.

In the head to head showdown the competing pair faced two runs and two nail biting finishes. The scores were announced and Tom and the Royal Lymington Yacht Club were declared 2014 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion of Club winners.  

The Champion of Clubs head to head followed the main event which saw 28 of the UK’s most talented young RIB drivers, including Jamie, showing their great skill and speed at the throttle of two Honda powered Highfield RIBS as they tackled the tricky championship course in front of a packed crowd.   

“Today’s competition has just been fantastic. The conditions have been perfect and the standard of talent out on the water is incredible, you could tell that all the competitors, no matter what time they achieved have really enjoyed themselves today” said Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Project Manager and Event Director.  

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.   RIBs are light, manoeuvrable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 25mph  

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Highfield. For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship click here. visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib  

Check out all of the latest videos from the PSP Southampton Boat Show 2014 here.