North West power boaters head to National Final 

North West champs Henry and Abigail get ready for championship final

Local powerboating aces, Henry Hughes, 11, from West Kirby SC, and Abigail Duckworth, 13, from Glossop SC, will take on the UK’s best young RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) driving talent next weekend (Sunday 13th September) when they compete at the National Final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship at the PSP Southampton Boat Show.  

Both drivers qualified by winning the North West regional Honda RYA Youth RIB final in May, and now they are keen to compete for the national title against the best from all over the country.  

Henry has a great record in the competition, having qualified for the national finals three years in a row. He is hoping that this year will be third time lucky at Southampton. “I’m looking forward to it, though a bit nervous. At the National final there are lots of people watching, and lots going on, which can be distracting.”  

Henry’s preparations for the final have certainly been varied. He has been driving a small 11 foot RIB in Wales, then this summer he had the chance under supervision to drive a 65 foot, 35 ton motorboat at Palma Majorca. Henry’s parents are keen motorboaters, so he has been brought up around boats.  “I have been in powerboats since I was two years old, so am really comfortable in any powerboat.” Henry sets off for Southampton with long and varied experience to draw on.  

The final will see 32 regional champions from across the UK and Gibraltar race against the clock and put their RIB driving skill, control and speed to the test around the championship course to secure the prestigious title - 2009 National Champion.   

Split into two age groups 8-12 and 13-16, competitors will be racing each other to win the title plus a brand new 4.8m Ribcraft RIB powerboat with a 50hp Honda four stroke engine on an Indespension trailer, equipped with an Icom 505 VHF radio, for their clubs.  

With both 2008’s national champions Aaron Lowther (13-16) and Steven Curtis (8-12) keen to defend their titles the event is sure to be a real nail bitter. Racing gets underway at 10:00 and prize giving is at 18:00 on Honda’s stand (CO62).    

Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for event sponsor Honda said: "We are very proud and pleased to be associated with the RYA Youth RIB Challenge for another year because it allows us to create links with the wider community - giving a younger generation access to our products and helping them engage with interactive, team based, social activities. Furthermore, as a manufacturer which puts safety at the heart of everything we do, the RIB Challenge gives us a great opportunity to underline this commitment."  

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda, Ribcraft, ICOM and Indespension Trailers.