Young ribsters power through to national final. 

Young powerboaters compete in Thames Valley regional final.

Let the competition begin

Young RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers from around the Thames Valley competed for a place in the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship at the regional round of the competition on Saturday (24 July 2010).  

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

The event, hosted by Dorchester Sailing Club in Dorchester-on-Thames, was open for all regional clubs and training centres to send competitors for each of two categories: 8-12 and 13-16 year old.   There were perfect conditions, glorious sunshine and a light breeze. The course involved tricky timed manoeuvres, including a high speed slalom, a man overboard drill, and a blast to the finish line, to test every aspect of the youngsters’ powerboat driving skills.   

Of the 24 entries, 20 were Volunteer Police Cadets from seven different London Boroughs, most of who had not driven or been on a powerboat before.  

Sprinting to victory

Daniel Reynolds (12) sprinted to victory in the 8-12 category for home club Dorchester, with Ottile Gee (12) from Oxford Sailing Club the runner up. Daniel, who goes to the European School in Culham, started sailing seven years ago and competed in the event last year, but this time he made it through to the national finals. Daniel said: “I’m very excited about winning”.  

Victory in the older group went to Callum Malone (14) of Southwark Sea Cadets, with Volunteer Police Cadets Ryan Cahill (15) and Ben Levitt (15) in second and third. Callum, from Southwark, enjoys sailing, kayaking and acting as coxswain with the Sea Cadets, and victory in the cadets’ heats had earned him a place at this event.   An excited Callum said: “I’m very happy about competing against so many and winning.”  

Heading to the final

Daniel and Callum will go forward, along with finalists from 14 other regions, to the national final which will be held at the Southampton Boat Show in September.    

Vice Commodore at Dorchester Sailing Club David Wedge said: "We very much enjoyed seeing the kids on the water at this exciting event, with its emphasis on skill and precision, not just speed."  

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda says: "Our continued association with the RYA Youth RIB Championship allows us to inspire and encourage young people to pursue their passion for boating and engage in worthwhile team-based social activities. Furthermore 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/programmes/hondaryayouthrib/