Ready for Blast-off

Ready for Blast-off
With thousands of youngsters having tried their hand at the throttle in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship over the past 16 years, it’s time once again to get the engines revving and offer a new wave of young RIB drivers the chance to compete for the title of Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion 2018.
The championship is open to young RIB drivers aged between 8 and 16 and competitors compete in one of two age categories: the 8–12 and 13–16 age groups.
The competition takes the form of a time trial around a set of marks – the fastest time wins – during which competitors have to complete a slalom, stop exercise and 360^˚ reverse around a buoy, before sprinting to the finish. Each competitor has to battle through the various stages of the competition in order to compete for the championship title.
Stage one is the local heats. Clubs up and down the country hold their own local heats where the young club members compete against the clock around a set course, with the fastest in each age group claiming a place in their area final to battle it out for the top spot and a place in the national final. A total of 13 area finals are lined up for 2018.

---

Dates confirmed so far:
Area                                                       Location                                               Date 
Northern Ireland                                 Belfast Harbour                                        Marina 19 May
Scotland                                                 Port Edgar Watersports                          2 June
London & SE 1                                      Datchet Water Sailing Club                   9 June
London & SE 2                                      Medway Yacht Club                                16 June
Channel Islands                                    Guernsey Yacht Club                              16 June
Midlands                                                Staunton Harold Sailing Club              23 June
South                                                       Marchwood Yacht Club                         30 June
North West                                            West Kirby Sailing Club                         21 July
East                                                         Paxton Lakes Sailing Club                     04 August
South West 1                                         Poole Yacht Club                                     12 August
Wales                                                      Pwllheli Sailing Club                              18 August
For more details of area final dates as they become available visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib and click on ‘2018 area finals schedule’.

---

The event culminates with the national final held at the Southampton Boat Show in September. As well as competing for the accolade of national champion, the 26 young drivers are also battling it out to win a fantastic prize for their club, organisation or training centre.
In the 8–12 age group the winner’s prize is a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine, while the winner of the 13–16 age group will claim a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50 engine.
‘The Honda Youth RIB Championship is not just about speed, it’s about control, skill and determination. Each year the lap times get quicker and quicker and the bar is set higher and higher. While many competitors return year on year, there is also the chance to see new talented young drivers come through and make their mark on the leader board,’ commented Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Projects Manager.
For more details about the championship and how to take part as a competitor, or to get your club involved, visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib.

---

Love boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, emailing member.services@rya.org.uk or visiting www.rya.org.uk.