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Welton Sailing Club stars
Welton Sailing Club stars

12/08/2009 - WELTON SAILING CLUB STARS SET TO TAKE ON THE BEST OF THE UK AT THE HONDA RYA RIB CHAMPIONSHIP

Young powerboating enthusiasts collected on the banks of the Humber at Welton Sailing Club on Saturday (8th August) to take part in the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship 2009.

There were two classes, divided into age groups 8 to 12 years and 13 to 16 years, and in total 11 competitors from the Club took part in the timed races around the slalom course. Many of the youngsters were new to the competition and took to handling the fast RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) with great enthusiasm and excitement. There were however, a few moments of drama when some of the more senior competitors got a little over enthusiastic with the throttle, but it only added to the fun and spectacle of the races.

Some of the youngsters had competed last year, but unfortunately due to holiday commitments, last year’s Junior winner Ross Flemming could not take part. This year’s Junior winner Alex Almond from Brough will be keen to follow in Ross’s footsteps and achieve a fourth or better in the national final.

The youth class was won by 15 year old Daniel Walton from Goole, just 3 seconds ahead of second place Matthew Harrison from Swanland.

The Club had been worried that the recent influx of weed might render the lake unusable; but some fantastic work by a lot of Club members meant that the work of cutting back the weed was undertaken at the eleventh hour on the Friday before the event.

"I would like to thank the members for their selfless work in clearing the weed, enabling us to host the competition," said Welton Sailing Club Commodore, Peter Hirschfeld. "Their hard work means that once again Welton will be represented in the national finals at Southampton, this year in both classes. Both Alex and Daniel acquitted themselves well and we are now looking for a club in the region with the necessary equipment to train them for the finals of the competition in September."

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.

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.

For further media information:

RYA Press Office
Tel: 02380 604 208
Email: ellie.williamson@rya.org.uk

Liz King
RYA Yorkshire & Humberside PR Communicator
Tel: 07850 819804
liz@visiblemedia.uk.com

Results:

Y&H 8-12 yrs: 1st Alex Almond (Brough); 2nd Ellie Smith (Hessle); 3rd Izzy Almond (Brough)

Y&H 13-16 yrs: 1st Daniel Walton (Goole); 2nd Matthew Harrison (Swanland); 3rd Helen Willmer (Swanland)

 

Notes to Editors:

About Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship

  • Started in 2002, the Championship allows youngsters aged 8-16 to demonstrate their skills as expert boat handlers and improve their skills in a safe, controlled environment, with each competitor aiming to manoeuvre around a pre-set course in the quickest time. To ensure safety at all times each child is accompanied in the RIB by a competent adult/instructor.
  • There are sixteen regional finals across the whole of the UK and overseas. Winners from both the 8-12 and 13-16 age groups go on to represent the region at the National Final.

 

About the RYA

  • The RYA is the national body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sportsboats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft.
  • The RYA is recognised by all government offices as being the negotiating body for the activities it represents. It continually fights for the rights and freedoms of its 102,000 personal members, the majority of whom choose to go afloat for purely recreational non-competitive pleasure on coastal and inland waters. There are an estimated further 500,000 boat owners nationally who are members of RYA affiliated clubs and class associations.
  • The RYA also sets and maintains a recognised standard for recreational boat training through a network of 2,340 RYA Recognised Training Centres in over 43 countries. On average 155,000 people per year complete RYA training courses.
  • The RYA is committed to promoting all forms of boating and making them accessible to everyone. For more information please refer to our web site www.rya.org.uk
  • RYA Sailability is the leading UK charity for disabled sailing and is the official charity of the RYA. Registered Charity Number: 1084351
  • You can find the RYA at RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, SO31 4YA