Victory for young Guernsey powerboaters 

Channel Island powerboaters compete in Honda RYA Youth RIB final

Celebrations are in flow for two Guernsey powerboaters who claimed victory at the Channel Islands Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship final (09 August 2011).  

Held at Dover Watersports Centre in perfect weather conditions, the event saw youngsters from across the Channel Islands put in their best performance on the water and power towards the grand final which will be held on September 18, at the PSP Southampton Boat Show.  

Jacob Sidebottom (12), Guernsey Yacht Club, who was competing in the event for the third time this year, clinched himself a hat trick as he blasted to first place in the 8-12 age group with an unbeatable time of 1:23:53. This will be the third time he will attend the final at Southampton.  

After being introduced to the sport by his parents who enjoy spending time in their 6m RIB, Jacob has completed his RYA Powerboat Level 2 and also enjoys dinghy sailing.  

In the 13-16 age category, 16 year old Nick Parkes, who has been powerboating for seven years and is also from Guersey Yacht Club, blasted around the course clinching a winning time of 1:21:22

With the emphasis on swift, efficient and safe manoeuvring, the Championships take the form of a time trial around a set of marks, with the driver with the fastest time in each age-group progressing through to the Southampton showdown and the chance to win a new, state-of-the-art Honwave T40 or 4.8m Ribcraft RIB boat for their club.    

“As this is my last time competing in the competition, I am really looking forward to going to Southampton” said a delighted Nick.   Andrew Norton, Manager of Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship said: “It’s brilliant to see youngsters like Jacob and Nick getting involved in the competition.  

 “The championship brings huge value in terms of introducing kids to powerboats, training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers, as well as providing clubs with a stream of highly-skilled safety boat drivers and support crews is still overlooked in some areas.”  

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, is a National Championship in which 8-16 year old RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers can demonstrate their boat handling skills in a race against the clock in the hope of winning a 5m Ribcraft or Honwave T40 for their club.  

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said: "We are extremely proud that in 10th year of sponsoring the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, we continue to inspire and encourage more young people than ever before to pursue their passion for boating, and also give them the skills to do so. It allows us to underline our commitment to safety and best practice, something which we take extremely seriously as a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables."  

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Ribcraft.   For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib