Marine News homepage

Welton Sailing Club stars
Welton Sailing Club stars

17/08/2009 - PLACES AT NATIONAL FINAL FOR YOUNG GUERNSEY RIB DRIVERS

Guernsey’s young RIB drivers were out in force this weekend (Saturday, 15 August) when they competed against each other in the Channel Island’s regional final of the Honda RYA Youth Championship to win a place at the National Final in Southampton next month.

In the waters off Guernsey Yacht Club in near perfect conditions, calm seas and not too much sun, the youngsters charged round the timed championship course to post the quickest time possible being careful not to pick up too many time penalties for incorrect manoeuvres on their way round.

Split into two age groups 8-12 and 13-16, competition was rife especially between sisters Eloise and Abigail Tanguy who were keen to outdo each other in positioning across their separate classes. After much jest, the best sister was never decided as they both ended up finishing third!

Racing to victory in the younger age group was 10 year old Jacob Sidebottom, posting a time of 02:01:00 and in the older age group 14 year old Nick Parkes who finished with an extremely fast time of 01:18:72.

Both were very pleased to have won however, Nick is unable to compete in Southampton at the finals so has nominated second place Stephanie Topley to take his place. Having attended the finals once before Stephanie has some useful experience and took up the challenge gladly. She commented: “Coming second is always frustrating but I’m really lucky and pleased that I have the opportunity to go to the finals again. I’ll do my absolute best for Nick and the Club (Guernsey Yacht Club) – no pressure!”

Stephanie and Jacob will be competing to win their club a brand new 4.8m Ribcraft RIB powerboat with a 50hp Honda four stroke engine complete with an Indespension trailer and Icom 505 VHF radio.

The Championship was set up to teach youngsters the importance of learning how to drive a RIB safely and responsibly and the course involves coming to a stop, high speed slalom, reversing and man over board manoeuvres – all essential in control.

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 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

For further media information:

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

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