South Staffs Powerboat Pair Geared Up For National Showdown

Aga and Henry set to do battle for West Midlands at Honda RYA Youth RIB final

Two young South Staffordshire powerboaters are steeling themselves to go head-to-head against the country’s top young drivers in a test of skill and nerve in the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship at the Southampton Boat Show on Sunday (13 September).

Aga Czartolomna, 10 from Perton, and 14-year-old Henry Dugmore from Stafford, will pit their wits against the 13 other regional age-group champions in the national showdown after claiming the West Midlands regional crowns in their respective 8-12 and 13-16 years age-groups in August.

Now in its 14th year, 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 (Rigid Inflatable Boats) are light, manoeuvrable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 25mph. 

The youngsters compete in time trials around sets of marks with the driver with the fastest time in each age-group qualifying for the national final. Skills they must show include slalom, stopping, reversing round a mark and a blast to the finish. 

This is the second consecutive year South Staffordshire Sailing Club’s Aga has qualified for the national final, while it will be Blithfield SC’s Henry’s Championship final debut. Both youngsters have their eyes on emulating the previous records of their big sisters, with Aga’s sister Kamila winning the 13-16 years national crown last year, while Henry’s older sister Elizabeth won the regional 13-16 title and qualified for the Championship grand final in 2013.  

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship takes place on the coastal waters off Southampton so training and competing on an inland reservoir means Aga and Henry, who attends Stafford Grammar School, have to adapt their driving to deal with the tidal and other different conditions found on the sea. Aga believes last year’s experience can stand her in good stead.

Perton Middle School pupil Aga said: “Success for me this year would be to finish in the first five. The difference between driving on Gailey Reservoir and the sea is quite big, there will be bigger waves and more wind and I’ve got to make sure I know which way the wind is coming from. 

"The standard of competition at the Nationals is high and last year I learned I need to pick my speed up a bit but keep the control. I have been training with Kamila and she has been helping me with boat control. I think last year’s experience can help me."

The overall national champion in each age-group wins a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine (8-12 years) or a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50 engine (13-16 years) for their club. 

Meanwhile as the reigning national 13-16 years champion Kamila, who goes to Codsall Community High School, will also be in action in Southampton, taking part in the annual Champion of Champions face off against this year’s title winner, with the driver who comes out on top winning hospitality tickets to a British Touring Car Championship race of their choice courtesy of Honda.

Kamila said: "I'm competitive as always! Being part of the Honda RYA Youth RIB programme has helped me improve my powerboat driving skills greatly, it has also helped me build up my confidence and achieve great things. I have helped out in some of the practice sessions, giving people tips and advice on the driving.

“My advice to Aga would be don't go too fast on the first run and don't stress out over it, its the fun and taking part that counts. I'm sure she will do well as she has improved over the past few months due to all the practice and time in the boat that she has had."

Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Projects Manager, said: “The RYA is delighted to see such a high standard set across all regional competitions. The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a great way of helping young sailors become proficient and safe powerboat drivers, and we look forward to the final at Southampton Boat Show.”

 Steve Morris, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK) added: “We are pleased to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA in supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship in its 14th year. Honda and our boat partner Highfield are delighted to support the RYA in its endeavours to motivate and encourage young people to develop their skills and to promote safe and responsible racing through this unique and exciting championship.”