These guidelines are intended as assistance rather than hard and fast rules as each club uses different types of water and may have to adapt to suit.

The competition
The competition takes the form of a time trial around a set of marks and the fastest time wins. The samle course link (above) is a schematic drawing of the course used at Southampton Boat show last year and a similar course is used at all regional finals. The buoys are set between 2 and 4 boat lengths apart so that skill and control, and not necessarily speed, are the most important factors. Last years times on this course varied from 1min 02secs to 2mins 43secs. Each competitor should have two runs, one as a practice run and one as a hot lap . Both runs should be timed and the fastest time put forward.

Penalties
Touching a buoy 5 seconds
Missing a buoy 5 seconds
Failing to complete the Stop Exercise 5 seconds
Flooding in reverse 5 seconds
Instructor/competent adult discretion 10 seconds + (i.e.: crashing through gear changes, missing MOB or any other misdemeanours the Instructor/competent adult deems necessary.)

Classes
There are two classes: 8-12 years old and 13-16 years old. 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 21st September 2008 and similarly in the 13-16 year old section they should not have had their 17th birthday before 21st September 2008.

Personnel You will need, as a minimum:
1. Shore-side person to brief each competitor and answer queries.
2. Start/Finish Judge
3. Timekeeper
4. Instructor/Competent adult for each boat
5. Marshals/Instructors to ensure running order is adhered to.
6. Safety boat with competent personnel if only one boat is being used for competition.

Each should have sufficient equipment for their role e.g. white/black board, stopwatch, and safety equipment. If you have any further queries please contact the RYA

The Boats
Boats for club heats should be Rib s or Dory s or any other vessel capable of planing.

Safety
Safety is paramount. A competent adult/Instructor should be in the boat at all times attached to the safety lanyard. If at any point during a run the adult considers that the competitor is driving in a dangerous or unsafe manner the run should be aborted immediately either by asking the competitor to throttle back or by operating the safety lanyard. All competitors and the accompanying adult should wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids at all times when on the water. Where possible an additional safety boat should be made available.

Club Heats
Clubs should run their own heats and put forward the winner of each class to the Regional final. Dates and locations for the regional finals are available using the link (above left). Please contact your regional organiser (whose contact details are also given) direct for further details, as he / she is the person organising the event on the day. For those regions that do not have confirmed dates please contact RYA Cruising Department using the email link (above) or by telephone on 0845 345 0370. 

It is up to the individual club to decide if they want to put forward a competitor in each class. If the date for the club heat is after the date for the regional final, the club can put forward a competitor who is acknowledged to be a skilled boat handler. The heat should still be run and the winner put forward as your clubs reigning champion for 2008. 

Regional Finals
At the regional finals the RYA, where possible, will provide:
1. Two Ribcraft with 50hp Honda outboards.
2. Buoys and ground tackle for the course
3. Stopwatches and shore equipment
4. Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class
5. At least one person to help and advise

Entry form/Disclaimer 
The entry form containing a disclaimer and photographic consent information, can be downloaded using the link at the top of the page. Please read it carefully before using it for your event. Should you have any questions regarding the disclaimer please contact Andrew Norton at the RYA, contact details as above.

The Prizes
The winner in each category at the National final will win for their organisation a 4.8m Ribcraft with a Honda BF50 outboard on an Indespension trailer with Icom radio. The prizes will be delivered to the winner at a UK-mainland location (including Northern Ireland). If the winners represent the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or the overseas areas the prizes will be delivered to any mainland UK port. Upon delivery the prizes shall become the winner s sole responsibility, and the winner shall be responsible for arranging insurance, shipping and the payment of all costs and expenses (including any tax or duty that may be payable) from the time of delivery onwards.

We hope you have a very enjoyable Summer and look forward to seeing you at Southampton Boat Show on Sunday September 21st 2008 for the NATIONAL FINAL of the Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship 2008.