Eastern Region Young Powerboaters win through to National Final 

Two young powerboaters from the Eastern Region are heading for the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship after winning the regional finals at the Island Yacht Club, Canvey Island, on 19 July 2014.

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a National Championship open to RYA clubs, organisations and training centres where 8 - 16 year old (RIB) drivers can demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning their club a brand new Highfield 460 or a Honwave T40.   

The event saw 20 finalists from four regional heats do battle, with the winners in two age groups, 8-12 and 13-16, going through to the national final held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show in September. There they will be up against against other regional finalists from across the UK.   

In the 8-12 age group Ben Hall (11) from Grafham Water Sailing Club took the victory, with James Cummerson (11) from the same club in second and Max Robinson (12) of Fishers Green Sailing Club third.   

Ben, from Great Cambourne, has been sailing for six year after following his parents into the sport, but hadn’t previously entered this event. He said: ”The day went really well. I was stunned at winning, and it’s amazing that I’m going to Southampton.”   

In the 13-16 age group Chris Gladwin (15) from Fishers Green Sailing club took top spot on the podium, with Beau Bidwell (13) from the same club second and Phoebe Hawkins (15) from host Island Yacht Club in third.   

Beau looked set to win the group after beating Chris’ time by less than a second in the first round, but Chris fought back in the second round to take victory by just three seconds.   

Chris, from Enfield, has been sailing for eight years since trying it on a family holiday and has entered the event several times. He said: “I didn’t think I’d won. It’s been my dream to go to Southampton, and now I’m going!”   

Tom Busfield, the Honda RYA Youth Rib Championships event manager said: “On the day there was thunder and lightening all around the horizon, but fortunately we were spared the bad weather. We had lots of cheering and applause from a very vocal crowd and Steve Curtis, who in previous years twice won the event to take two boats for his club, was there to lend support to the competitors.” 

 Nigel Mower, RYA Eastern Region co-ordinator for the event, said: “It was a great day, and many thanks go to Island Yacht Club for a great venue and a wonderfully warm reception. I was reliving the event all the way home in the car. Tom made it a well organized, fun event, and now the focus is on getting reading for the final in Southampton.”   

Stephen Morris, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK) comments: “We are delighted to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA in supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, and to be bringing on board our new boatbuilder partner, Highfield, for the 2014 competition. Both Honda and Highfield are only too pleased to support the RYA in its efforts to inspire and encourage young people to develop their skills and to promote safe and responsible boating through this unique championship.”   

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 hondayouthrib