Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship 

The 2015 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship proved to be a great success and the RYA together with Honda and Highfield are delighted to offer all interested youngsters the opportunity to participate once again!

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, sponsored by Honda and Highfield, is a National Championship in which 8 - 16 year old Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) drivers can demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning a Highfield 460 or a Honwave T40 for their club.

The Concept

The RYA (Royal Yachting Association), through its affiliated clubs, organisations and training centres will again run a National Championship in Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) for juniors/youths. Clubs, organisations and training centres wishing to participate hold local heats, at their premises, to determine who they put forward to their Area Finals. There are 13 Area Finals and the winner in each age group (8-12 years and 13-16 years) takes part in the National Final held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday, 18th September 2016.

The Competition

The competition takes the form of a time trial around a set of marks - the fastest time wins.  The slalom buoys are set 12.5m apart so that skill and control, and not necessarily speed, are the most important factors.  Each competitor has two runs, one as a practice and one as a 'hot lap'.  Both runs are timed and the fastest time put forward.  Please see the diagram in the download area showing the overall structure of the competition.

The Classes

There are two classes: 8-12 years and 13-16 years.  This is the age of the entrant at the time of the National Final i.e. for the 8-12 year olds the competitor should not have had their 13th birthday before 13th September 2016 and similarly in the 13-16 year old section they should not have had their 17th birthday before 13th September 2016.

Local Heats

Any RYA (Royal Yachting Association) affiliated club, organisation or training centre that wishes to participate can hold a local heat. The club, organisation or training centre runs a competition at their premises, using their own boats, from which they put forward their winners to the Area Final, in one or both of the age categories.

If running a local heat, please email us to request your information pack.  Please include your name, club and the address to which the pack should be sent. 

Area Finals

The Area Finals, 13 in all, are held at clubs, organisations or training centres with suitable facilities. The RYA helps the club organise the event and attends to the logistics and administration needed to run the Area Final. Where possible the RYA will attend and support the event with promotional materials and two Honda powered Highfields to be used by the competitors.

National Final

The National Final will be held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday, 18th September 2016. The RYA will organise and co-ordinate all aspects of this final stage of the competition.

Area Champions will compete to become National Champion and win a boat for their Club.  After the prize-giving on the day of the National Final, the 2016 National Champions will then compete 'head to head' against representatives from the 2015 Winning Clubs.  Please see the document named 2016 Championship Structure available in the download area.

Prizes

At the Area Finals, medals,certificates and other prizes are presented for the first, second and third places in each age group.

At the National Final the winner of the 8-12 age group will win a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine for their club, organisation or training centre and the winner of  the 13-16 age group will win a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50 engine for their club, organisation or training centre. Medals, certificates and other prizes are presented for the first, second and third places in each age group.

The winner of the 'head to head' will win a perpetual trophy for their Club and a prize for themselves.

For more information please use the links in the download area. Should you have any queries please contact the organisers.